AO Smith electric water heater element kicks on and immediately back off

[jreed]

Hey guys and gals, having some trouble with my Ao smith electric water heater. A few weeks ago the breaker started kicking off. I decided to replace the heating elements since I had a pair at home already. After draining The tank and replacing those, everything seemed ok for several days. Fast forward today when I got in the shower and the water was cold. I went to my heater the breaker was kicked again. I reset it and now notice that the element kicks on, then about a second later goes off. it has a digital display so I can see and hear it happening. Any idea what else I can check? Does this sound like a thermostat issue?

 

[Jeff H Young]

id change t stat after scratching head , cheap as hell to buy

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

You'd have to run some tests with a multi meter to figure out exactly what's happening.

 

[Fitter30]

Before power up did u happen to turn on the hot water to get the air out. If not top element is probably bad. If the element is twisted or misshapen air.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

you can go to lowes and buy both of the new thermostats and new elements and they all come
in a neat little package for about 35 bucks...

just change out everything because you have a ghost in the system that will drive you nuts if you dont change it all out

you also must clean out the lime from the bottom of the tank with a wet vac or it will burn out fast