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Diagnostic Guide to Well Pump Problems
- Diagnostic checklist in table form provices water pump problem identification, diagnostic steps, and repair steps
- Deep-well Two Line Jet Pumps & Drinking Water Wells, Well Problems & Repair Advice
- Shallow-well pump diagnosis and repair guide and checklist
- What types of wells use a two-line jet pump for water delivery.
- Electric pump motor troubleshooting guide
- References
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
This article provides a table of diagnostic checks and procedures for fixing well water pump problems.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Well Pump Troubleshooting Diagnostic Guide
Readers of this document should also see our other diagnostic guides for water pumps, wells, motors, in table form:
See Water Tank Types and before assuming that a water problem is due to the
well itself, see Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost which offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost. If your building has water pressure problems, see WELL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS. Readers whose wells simply run out of water should also see How to Test Well Water Quantity and see How to Get More Water From a Well..
Some of the well pump troubleshooting suggestions in this list can be found at the Betta-Flo Jet Pump Installation Manual from the National Pump Co. Page top illustration courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.
Things to Check if the Well Pump Will Not Start |
| Pump Trouble Cause |
Diagnostic Procedure |
Repair Procedure |
| Electrical Power is Off |
Check that all service switches for the equipment are in the "on" position.
Check for voltage at the pump motor or pump controls. If no voltage is found, check for voltage at the electric panel.
If power is on to the building, check fuse or circuit breaker serving the electric motor that won't run.
Check for local reset button on the motor (popped out = off )
Check for other power reset or power off buttons such as an access door compartment safety switch that turns off power to the equipment (found on A/C blower compartment doors) |
Turn on "off" switches.
Replace bad fuse. Reset circuit breaker; if necessary replace bad circuit breaker.
Let hot electric motor cool down, then push in its reset button.
Be sure all safety interlock switches such as on compartment doors are depressed and that the doors are securely shut. Replace a bad safety switch.
See
ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH FOR HEAT
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
WATER PUMP ELECTRICAL SWITCHES
CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE
ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION |
| Blown fuse, tripped breaker |
Replace fuse or breaker - does the pump run and keep running normally? |
Be sure proper breaker or fuse size in ampacity is installed - ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION |
| Low voltage to the pump |
Check with VOM at the pressure control switch or at the pump wiring |
Be sure the proper size of wire is used for the ampacity and length of circuit; Test for low voltage to the building. |
| Loose or broken pump wire |
Check wiring against the pump installation manual diagram, check all connections for tightness, shorts, burns, damage |
Rewire or repair or replace wiring |
| Burned out pump motor |
Check that the pump pressure control switch is trying to turn on the pump and that there is voltage at the pump wiring |
Repair or replace the pump motor |
| Bad motor control switch |
Check the control switch contacts for burning or wear.
If the motor control is a well pump pressure control switch,check the pressure control switch settings - cut-in and cut-out; inspect for burned, pitted switch contacts or for dirt or wear. |
For water pumps, adjust or replace the pressure control switch.
Temporary emergency repair by cleaning the switch contacts may be possible. See WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH
|
| Bad pump pressure control switch |
Check the tubing connecting the pressure switch to the pump housing for clogging |
Clean or replace the tubing and be sure the connections are not leaky - an air leak will prevent the switch from sensing pressure properly |
| Bad water pump control switch tubing |
Clogged or leaky tubing connecting a water pump pressure control switch to the water system results in failure to properly sense and respond to water pressure.
Debris clogging can also occur in the bottom of the pressure control switch where it mounts or connects to the tubing.
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Check and clear tubing blockage (blow air through tubing). Or install new tubing.
Be sure tubing is proper diameter and type to seal properly with other fittings.
Tighten tubing fittings to be sure there are no water or air leaks. Soap solution may help find air leaks in tubing fittings.
Clear or replace clogged pressure control switch if the bottom sensor opening is clogged and cannot be cleared.
See
WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR
PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPLACE
|
| Bad pump impeller or impeller seal leak |
Turn off electric power to pump, see if you can move the impeller or motor - if it won't turn it is jammed or damaged |
Remove obstruction in impeller housing, inspect for and replace damaged impeller or frozen motor. |
| Bad pump motor starting capacitor |
Use a VOM in ohms setting to check resistance across the capacitor. If the meter does not move (no current flows) the capacitor is "open". If there is zero resistance the capacitor is shorted. |
Replace the starting capacitor |
| Pump motor shorted out, jammed, burned up |
Fuse blows or breaker trips as soon as the pump tries to turn on. If the external wiring is ok (no short circuits) the motor is shorted internally |
Replace the pump motor |
| |
Things to Check if the Pump Motor Starts but Overheats and Trips its Reset Button |
| See ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH for how to find and reset this button |
| Bad line voltage |
Use a VOM to check the voltage level at the pressure control switch |
If voltage is too low, check voltage at the electrical panel and check that the proper size wiring was used for the ampacity and length of run and that there are no partial shorts or damaged wires or connectors |
| Incorrect motor wiring |
Check the actual electrical wiring against the motor wiring diagram or the installation manual for the equipment |
Reconnect wiring properly |
| Motor is too hot due to surroundings - inadequate ventilation |
Check the air temperature where the motor is located. If the air temperature is over 100 degF, the pump may be too hot and its thermal overload switch tripping because of the environment, not a pump problem. |
Install adequate ventilation, or if needed, shading, or relocate the motor/equipment to a cool location |
| Pump operates too long at low water pressure |
If the well recovery rate is too poor and the pump is operating at low water pressure, possibly because a tailpiece is installed to prevent air injection and pump burnup, the pump may be overheating. |
Install a valve on the water discharge line and reduce water flow to increase water pressure inside the pump itself. |
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What to do if the well pump runs continuously or runs too often |
| If the Well Pump Motor Runs Too Often |
If the pump runs too often the cause may be a control problem, water tank problem, piping problem, or a well problem. |
See INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS if the pump runs at odd times for no apparent reason.
See SHORT CYCLING CAUSES if the pump is turning on and off too frequently. |
| If the Well Pump Motor Keeps Running & Won't Stop |
If the pump won't turn off the cause may be a damaged pump control, a plumbing or fixture leak, or a well problem. |
Watch out: If the pump motor won't shut off you should turn off electrical power to the pump to avoid damaging it, then diagnose the problem.
See WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING
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Other well pump troubles |
| If the Well Pump is too Noisy |
If the well or water pump has gotten quite noisy the cause may be a worn pump bearing or damage to the pump impeller. |
Review our list of common sources of water pump noise before replacing anyhing.
See NOISES, WATER PUMP
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Deep Well Jet Pumps, Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development, toll free in Alberta at 310-FARM web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex639
- Betta-Flo Jet Pump Installation Manual, National Pump Co., LLC., includes helpful well pump troubleshooting tips as well as basic jet pump installation details. Web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.nationalpumpcompany.com/Documents/OIM/Betta%20Flo%20IOM%20Jet%20Pump.pdf
- Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
- Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
- Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps_1.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment
- Access Water Energy, PO Box 2061, Moorabbin, VIC 3189, Australia, Tel: 1300 797 758, email: sales@accesswater.com.au Moorabbin Office: Kingston Trade Centre, 100 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
Australian supplier of: Greywater systems, Solar power to grid packages, Edwards solar systems, Vulcan compact solar systems, water & solar system pumps & controls, and a wide rage of above ground & under ground water storage tanks: concrete, steel, plastic, modular, and bladder storage tanks.
- Life Expectancy of Water Pumps - Well Pumps: how long should a water pump last? What affects pump life?
- Life Expectancy of Wells & Water Tanks how long should a water well and its components last?
- Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
- Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps_1.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
- Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.
- Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost
- Water pressure tank failures & water pump short cycling diagnosis and repair
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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