Packaged with each new pump are operating instructions and repair parts list. When experiencing a pump failure, check installation to see if pump has been installed according to manufacturer instructions. Pump installation isn’t always obvious. Call Priest Electric if you need professional pump installation or repair. A very high percentage of calls we get regarding improper pump functionality are a result of improper installation or well failure. Here is a list of common mistakes, and things to look for when checking pump installation.
Please call our pump repair experts if you need further assistance. 208-459-6351
| Possible Cause | What To Check | Possible Fix |
| Blown fuse | Check fuse | Replace fuse with correct size/type |
| Low line voltage | Use voltmeter to check pressure switch or terminals near pump | If voltage is under recommended, check size of wiring. Contact power company if wiring size is ok. |
| Loose, broken, or incorrect wiring. | Compare wiring with diagram. Check that connections are tight, and look for any signs of warn insulation, or crossed wires etc… | Rewire if needed, replace defective wires |
| Defective motor | Check to see if switch is closed | Repair motor |
| Defective pressure switch | Check switch setting. Examine contacts for dirt or wear | Adjust settings, clean contacts. |
| Tubing to pressure switch is plugged | Remove tubing and blow through it | Clean or replace |
| Impeller or seal | Turn off power, then use screwdriver to try to turn impeller or motor | If impeller wont turn remove housing and locate source of binding |
| Defective start capacitor | Use ohmmeter to check resistance to capacitor. Needle should jump when contact is made. No movement means an open capacitor. No resistance mean capacitor is shorted. | Replace capacitor or take to electric motor repair service |
| Motor shorted out | If fuse blows when pump is started (and wiring checks out ok), motor is shorted | Replace motor |
| Possible Cause | What To Check | Possible Fix |
| Incorrect line voltage | Use voltmeter to check pressure switch or terminals near pump | If voltage is under recommended, check size of wiring from main switch. Contact power company if wiring size is ok. |
| Motor wired incorrectly | Check wiring diagram | Reconnect for proper voltage as per wiring diagram |
| Inadequate ventilation | Check air temperature where pump is located. If over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, overload my be tripping on external heat. | Provide adequate ventilation or relocate pump. |
| Prolonged low pressure delivery. | Prolonged operation at very low pressure places heavy overload on pump. This can cause overload protection to trip. | Install globe valve on discharge line and throttle to increase pressure. |
| Possible Cause | What To Check | Possible Fix |
| Leak in pressure tank | Apply soapy water to entire surface about water line. If bubbles appear, air is leaking from tank. | Repair leak, or replace tank. |
| Defective air volume control | This will lead to waterlogged tank. Make sure control is operating properly. If not, remove and examine for plugging. | Clean or replace defective control |
| Faulty pressure switch | Check switch setting. Examine switch contacts for dirt or wear. | Adjust settings. Clean contacts |
| Defective motor | Check to see if switch is closed | Repair motor |
| Defective pressure switch | Check switch setting. Examine contacts for dirt or wear | Adjust settings, clean contacts. |
| Leak on discharge side of system | On shallow well units, install pressure gauge on suction side. On deep well systems, attach a pressure gauge to the pump. Close the discharge line valve. Then, using a bicycle pump or air compressor apply about 30 psi pressure to the system. If the system will not hold this pressure when the compressor is shut off, there is a leak on the suction side. | Repair pipe leak if needed. Make sure above ground connections are tight. |
| Leak in foot valve | Pull piping and inspect foot valve | If impeller wont turn remove housing and locate source of binding |
| Defective start capacitor | Use ohmmeter to check resistance to capacitor. Needle should jump when contact is made. No movement means an open capacitor. No resistance mean capacitor is shorted. | Repair or replace defective valve. |
| Possible Cause | What To Check | Possible Fix |
| Wrong pressure switch setting, or setting drift | Lower switch setting. If pump shuts off, this was the trouble. | Adjust switch for proper setting |
| Defective pressure switch | Arcing may have caused switch contacts to weld together in closed position. Examine points and other parts of switch for defects. | Replace switch if needed |
| Tubing or pressure switch plugged. | Remove tubing and blow through it | Clean or replace if plugged |
| Loss of prime | When no water is delivered, check prime of pump and well piping | Reprime if needed |
| Low well level | Check well depth against pump performance table to make sure pump and ejector are properly sized. | If undersized, replace pump or ejector |
| Plugged ejector | Remove ejector and inspect | Clean and re-install |
| Possible Cause | What To Check | Possible Fix |
| Low line voltage | Use voltmeter to check pressure switch or terminals near pump | If voltage is under recommended, check size of wiring. Contact power company if wiring size is ok. |
| System incompletely primed | When no water is delivered, check prime of pump and well piping. | Reprime if needed |
| Air lock in suction line | Check horizontal piping between well and pump. If it does not putch upward from well to pump, an air lock may form. | Rearrange piping to eliminate air lock |
| Undersized piping | If system delivery is low, the discharge piping and or plumbing lines may be undersized. Refigure friction loss. | Replace undersized piping or install pump with higher capacity. |
| Leak in air volume control or tubing | Disconnect air volume control tubing at pump and plug hole. If capacity increases, a leak exists in the tubing of control. | Tighten all fittings and replace control if needed. |
| Pressure regulating valve stuck or incorrectly set. (Deep Well Only) | Check valve setting. Inspect for defects. | Reset, clean, or replace valve if needed. |
| Leak on suction side of system. | On shallow well units, install pressure gauge on suction side. On deep well systems, attach a pressure gauge to the pump. Close the discharge line valve. Then, using a bicycle pump or air compressor apply about 30 psi pressure to the system. If the system will not hold this pressure when the compressor is shut off, there is a leak on the suction side. | Repair pipe leak if needed. Make sure above ground connections are tight. |
| Low well level | Shut off pump and allow well to recover. Restart pump and check if delivery drops after continuous operation. | If well is weak, lower ejector (deep well) use a tail pipe (deep well), or switch from shallow well to deep well equipment. |
| Plugged ejector | Remove ejector and inspect | Clean and re-install |
| Defective or plugged foot valve and or strainer. | Pull foot valve and inspect. Partial clogging will reduce delivery. Complete clogging will result in no water flow. A defective foot valve may cause pump to lose prime, resulting in no delivery. | Clean, repair, or replace. |
| Worn or defective pump parts or plugged impeller | Low delivery may result from wear on impeller or other pump parts. Disassemble and inspect | Replace warn parts, or entire pump. Clean parts. |
