Water pump stopped. Short cycles then stops.

[Arden]

My water pump stopped last night. After being shut off overnight, I flipped on the power, and it short cycled, running 4-5 seconds a run, before stopping. We replaced the pressure switch and cleaned the debris in the tube, and checked the tank pressure. Same issue. The switch is calling for pressure. Ideas? Many thanks!

 

[Reach4]

Are you getting water during those 4 to 5 seconds? What does the pressure do?

Is the pump above ground, or is it a submersible down the well.

It sounds like you need a new pump. What do you know about the pump?
If you could measure the amps draw during that 4-5 seconds, that could tell you something, particularly if you had info on the pump. A clamp around ammeter is the usual tool to measure that current. But after you do that, there is a good chance it will say you need a new pump. I am not a pro.

It would have been nice if you had been putting $25 per month away for eventual pump replacement, but I know that few people do that. Borrowing money for a new pump is a lot more responsible than borrowing money for a new car.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Cacher_Chick]

Are we to guess whether the pump is running or not? Is it a submersible? It it a three wire which uses an external control box with a start capacitor? Have you measured the voltage or current draw at the well head?

 

[Arden]

Yes, submersible pump. A Franklin 2801054915 controller box if that helps. We did ohmmeter tests on the box capacitor and relays and it looks OK. I am going to swap another one in tomorrow just to be sure.
If the pump has been off a while and I turn it all back on, it runs about 6 times intermittently for about 4 to 7 seconds per time, then stops. The pressure gauge is not spiking and it shuts off before the pressure switch stops it. The pump simply stops running.

I have not done those additional tests yet. Thank you for your response.

 

[Arden]

Are you getting water during those 4 to 5 seconds? What does the pressure do?

Is the pump above ground, or is it a submersible down the well.

It sounds like you need a new pump. What do you know about the pump?
If you could measure the amps draw during that 4-5 seconds, that could tell you something, particularly if you had info on the pump. A clamp around ammeter is the usual tool to measure that current. But after you do that, there is a good chance it will say you need a new pump. I am not a pro.

It would have been nice if you had been putting $25 per month away for eventual pump replacement, but I know that few people do that. Borrowing money for a new pump is a lot more responsible than borrowing money for a new car.

 

[Arden]

Yes, we get water and pressure build up while it is pumping. Submersible.

 

[Arden]

One other thing I just noticed. If I flip the power on and off, no change. But if I shut the power off, remove the control box cover, re-seat the cover, and then flip the power back on, it usually runs at least one cycle. I dont know if that might mean the control box is the issue, or just some type of reset that lets it work for a few seconds.

 

[Arden]

Are we to guess whether the pump is running or not? Is it a submersible? It it a three wire which uses an external control box with a start capacitor? Have you measured the voltage or current draw at the well head?

One other thing I just noticed. If I flip the power on and off, no change. But if I shut the power off, remove the control box cover, re-seat the cover, and then flip the power back on, it usually runs at least one cycle. I dont know if that might mean the control box is the issue, or just some type of reset that lets it work for a few seconds.

More observations; If I do shut the power off for an extended time and turn it back on, it will go through a number of brief cycles pumping 4-7 seconds and 7-10 second pauses.

 

[Valveman]

More observations; If I do shut the power off for an extended time and turn it back on, it will go through a number of brief cycles pumping 4-7 seconds and 7-10 second pauses.

Are you sure that is not the pressure switch starting a stopping the pump? If it is tripping an internal overload it usually takes longer than 7-10 seconds to reset itself.

 

[Arden]

Are you sure that is not the pressure switch starting a stopping the pump? If it is tripping an internal overload it usually takes longer than 7-10 seconds to reset itself.

I think so - I tested the switch input/output and both had power, indicating the switch was calling for the pump, but the pump was not running.

 

[Cacher_Chick]

It is time to measure the current draw of the pump.

 

[Arden]

Swapped the board, same results. Pump it is. Thanks for the feedback, appreciated.