Was all set to go to the local pool store to purchase a new pump. Came across this video while doing research and decide to run outside and try it. Did not even have to use the "kick start" method. Twisted it a couple times with the screwdriver and could tell it loosened right up. Plugged it in, and the pump was running like a champ. Thanks so much- I really thought after 9 years that the pump was shot . You just saved me hundreds this year!
Works like a charm! I was initially suspicious that it wouldn't work, as I was able to easily turn the shaft when it was off with a drill, but when I plugged it in, it wouldn't start. Then I tried running the drill for 10 seconds and then turning it on, and it started right up! Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Let me know if I can get you a cup of coffee.
Tried you fix the first time and the spindle would not budge. No turn whatsoever. This left me discouraged thinking I would need a new pump. I thought through the corrosion issue around the coils. Copper turns green from corrosion and leaches out to surrounding area. I then went out with a 3lb. sledge and GENTLY tapped the housing. I then used a small chisel in place of screwdriver, that I then clamped to a crescent wrench for leverage and was able to begin to turn and break the corrosion! That did the trick!!! Pump working now like a champ! Thank you! I also used your Pool liner install series 2 years back to flawlessly install my new liner. This guy knows his craft. Highly recommend! Saved me thousands on liner installation and hundreds on new pump!
Chad, I've work, serviced in-ground, above ground pools from 10k gallon to 220k gallon pools for over 25 years. Some of these videos make me laugh but, I have to say, your video's your knowledge is outstanding. Great job.
Thank you Chad for your HONEST help. I listened to another 45 sec. video from another pool tech. for the same problem before I found yours and he said you need your pump replaced and repeatedly gave his name and where he was located in the video. You, on the hand, were honest. We did what you told on the video and our pump now works thanks to you!!! You saved us hundreds of dollars. GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY AND HELP!!!!
I tried a screw driver and it didn't quite do it. The pumps breaker popped. I watched this vid afterwards and read the comments and someone stated to use a drill with a flat head tip. I did and voila! The shaft spun freely again. Thank you from another appreciative individual for helping life's toughness be easier.
I was thinking this as well. You could also try a rubber mallet wack. I feel like you could also take the pump apart more and give it a good soaking in vinegar or some solution to help break down the corrosion
Truly a lifesaver. This video saved me so much money. A quick and easy fix but VERY effective. I am very thankful that you had a kind heart and shared your expertise with the rest of us. Thank you very much sir!
This 7 year old video just saved my butt! Plugged in my pump for the first time this season and it was humming and not spinning, and I panicked. Found this video and gave it a little spin with a wrench (it's a Hayward Pump 2 style, so it's a little different and the screwdriver doesn't work, but I was able to get a wrench around the shaft and loosen it up) and it came to life! Thanks so much!
I know it’s been 5 years since you posted this but I just wanted to say thank you. Pump stopped working. Was just humming. I could spin the impeller freely so I though motor was bad. I did your “Jump Start” trick and it fired right up. Running 2 days now no problem. You saved me $. Thanks!
STUCK SOLID AND WILL NOT BUDGE? TRY LUBRICATING THE SHAFT END. I tried using my largest flathead screwdriver on the shaft end as he shows in the video. Not only would it not budge, but I actually managed to snap the end off of the screwdriver by applying the maximum torque that I could manage. After staring at it for a while, I decided to spray it with some lubricant to see if that would free the end of the shaft. I sprayed it and about 30 seconds later, it turned easily with a screwdriver (no effort at all). The lubricant I used was PB Blaster, but WD40 or similar would likely work as well. I hooked up the power to test and the motor worked great. Reinstalled it and it's pumping my pool water right now. THANK YOU, Above Ground Pool Pros for this video. The new pump will be here in 3 days, but I can now consider that a backup for when this pump eventually fails. I am subscribing to your channel!
Look at this guy, still saving people money !! Got the back off, and sure enough the plastic fan looking thing wasn't moving freely. Gave it a few spins, turned it off at the wall for ten minutes, and it's working like a charm. Love your work dude.
The pump was humming, but did not start. The service manual said to take it appart. I watched this video as i was about to take it entirely appart. This worked so well and saved me a service call. Thank you so much!
And here we are 9 years later and it worked for me too. Not exactly the same. I took the cover off and it spun fine. Thought it was probably the starter capacitor. Took the hose off, detached the inlet and tipped it up to get a better look. Decided to plug it in for the 4th time and it started right up. Put it all back together and it's running fine now...Thank you in case you are still reading these notes.
This is a PERFECT video. Not only helpful but detailed, straight to the point and clear instructions adding to alternatives that people may have. You rock sir!!! Waiting for daylight to try this myself.
I have a Super pump which is a little different. It worked initially but a week later, it went out and doesnt want to come back on. Bought me time to get my pool started atleast....
Fought my shallow well pump for 2 days, completely disassembled it. Watched 30 videos covering things I'd already tried. Realized after watching this that copper coil was frozen to casing as you suggested. Repaired in 20 minutes and can finally shower. Thank you so much!
I have to mirror what everybody else is saying here. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! You just saved me a bunch of money. Turned the shaft, didn’t feel much crunching, kickstarted it and turned on the power and it works! Can’t thank you enough sir! Awesome video!
This video saved us today. My husband used the flathead on his drill to get the center piece moving. At first I thought it was a bust, but all of the sudden it worked. Thank you!
I have been trying to fix this pump for days watching all types of videos. When I saw this I had low expectations that it would work. I wish I had a picture of my face when I spun that screwdriver and the pump fired right up! Thank you for the help
Electrician here. Pump set to 115V stuck, changed voltage to 240V set it to 230V on slide switch. Still stuck! Tried spinning shaft while humming and Voila!!!....we have a spinning motor. Turned it On & Off and stuck again, seems I have to leave it running for 12 to 24 hrs. Thanks Chad for the great info, seems you need a donation link for saving all these commenters $$$!
Chad, thank you so much for the great tip on jump starting my pump. I did it and the pump was trying to kick start , but didn't. Was so pissed off went inside so I can cool off , because I saw $$$$$ signs on my mental mind! After eating, talking, thinking to myself I had mentally cooling off. Went back for one more heartache to try again! Much to my surprise bah, bah bam!!!!!! Was the happiest women alive... Thank you soooo much , for your knowledge helped this girl save $ 300..00 bucks or more................
This tutorial helped me at least half the way. My problem was that we have a small pool and therefore a small, cheap pump (bestway Flowclear modell 58117 ), and it had a very thick cover molded on the underside so reaching the screw from that side is impossible. What I did was- 1) Remove the pump from the pool. 2) Screwed the motor off the pump and 3) Plugged the motor into the electricity (hearing it hum, but not spinning), then 4) reaching into the top fan (with a small computer screwdriver) of the now unattached pump and spinning it myself, giving it enough spin after a few times to now run by itself. After that, 5) I let the motor run by itself on the lawn under my supervision for about 15 minutes. Then I remounted it in the shell and voila- it works! Many thanks for the guide though- it gave me a push in the right direction!
This is the best RU-vid video. I had similar issue with other pump, the service charged me 750 for motor plus 150 for replacement. With your video, I got it fixed for zero. Thank you. Thank you
I tried this and it worked perfectly. I'm so glad the pool repair guy couldn't come check it out today. He was going to charge me to come over and look at it tomorrow.Then I found this video. Thank goodness for Chad and his video. Awesome!
Worked a charm! Count me among the grateful masses who’ve thanked you for your tip. I’m not sure what prompted you to make the video years ago, but I’m so glad you took the time and made the effort. Thanks again.
Thank you SO MUCH Chad! My pump just stopped working and after freaking out I would have to buy a new pump, I found your video. I was able to move the screwdriver quite easy, but I needed to spin and kickstart just like you said and it worked!! I really can't express my gratitude enough! Thank you for your time and knowledge!!
My wife found your video and you just saved us a couple of hundred at least! I did exactly as you said, but the shaft wouldn't budge, but after a whack on the end of my large screwdriver with a mallet, it broke loose. After a couple of full, but crunchy rotations by hand, it freed up enough that I didn't even need to kickstart it. Thank you!
I cant thank you enough for this video, I just fixed my pump by following your instructions. Before I did this i called a company to fix it but they didn't even try, they just straight up said i needed a new one that would cost 407$. You saved me a lot of money. Thanks
Thanks Chad!! I was getting ready to order a replacement motor for our in-ground pool pump...which had the same symptoms as you described. I had already removed the motor from the pump and taken the pump diffuser and impeller off so I knew the motor shaft was 'frozen' - I couldn't budge it. Although I had no access to the motor shaft after removing the rear cover, I decided to use a pair of Vise-Grips on the exposed motor shaft, using some small pieces of wood to protect the shaft from damage. In 5 seconds, I had the shaft freely spinning. I just had to plug it in and it ran fine - no jump-starting needed! I have ordered a new seal kit which will arrive tomorrow and I hope to be back in business by tomorrow evening. Thank you so much - I owe you a 6-pack!
Many many thanks to you . my pump doesn't work and I spent few hours to fix it ,but it is still not working , Finally i watch your video and just take me 5 minutes . Wow exactly what you show to us on RU-vid , my pump works like before . Thank you and have a great day .
Thank God I decided to look up pump humming but not filtering....I followed your advice and did the screwdriver to kick start the motor...and viola! Worked ... motor running again...you saved me 400$ plus $$ ...i was ready to run out and buy a new motor...Thanks for taking the time to show people that it could be a easy fix.
Brilliant! It works! I am an older woman and you explained it all so clearly that I could follow it through easily, and I now have a working pump again! Many many thanks! Pamela
Our Hayward pool pump was humming and blew a fuse in the house. Watching this video saved us $$$. But, instead of opening the back of the motor we could see the shaft (corroded) that was between the impeller and the motor and used a open channel lock and turned it left and right which was hard at first but eventually it turned. We plugged it in and presto ! Thank you for this tutorial!
Hey Chad, . . . Thank you so much for this video. You have save me from an expense I could not afford this week. I did exactly as you said in video and it worked !!. My pump is running once again. I was surprise because I put away my pump every season. I packed it and put it in a safe dry place. Anyhow glad I ran into your video and you have a new follower. . . Thank you !!
Same experience, I’m sure, as most. Gave it a watch. Extremely well explained to the laymen. And solved my issue. Was already getting quotes over $200. Thank you! Like he said; it may not be your solution, but definitely worth a try!
It was the night before Father's Day and we planned on having our dads over for a swim the next day to celebrate, and our nieces/nephews were coming into town the next week to spend with us. I noticed from the window that the pool was still, which is never the case because the pump runs at all times. I researched many possible cause and fixes online, but nothing worked. Thought I was going to have to get a new pump. Then, I came across this video and we were back up-and-running in no time! Thank you so much...you saved the day and our get-together!
I fixed it. Yeah me of all people. Seriously I couldn't be more surprised if you told me I'd won the Kentucky Derby! Great directions, you saved me $250. Thank you ever so much!
hayward power flo matrix manual states "Motor Hums, But Does NOT Start - Check For: 1. Centrifugal switch stuck in OPEN position. 2. Binding of motor shaft."
@@jimcooper3632 Thank you. After hours of troubleshooting, this was a step in the right direction. I've bent the lever activated by the centrifugal switch while re-assembling the motor.
Pool pump inexplicably wouldn’t work one day, was humming, tried this, had no corrosion, but still spun the motor. Started working almost immediately, like a charm👍🏻
Thank you! My husband passed away 4 years ago. I'm on a fixed budget, and hope this will help. Thank you for making me feel informed and not taken advantage of.
Saved me money was looking up pumps and decided to check you tive for a second time by looking up the humming nose. I had a different pump with a fan but just turn the fan and clean around and it worked five minutes later. Faster to fix then watching the video.
Great video! Thanks so much! After I figured my pump was dead and I was irritably researching new pumps, I found this tip and on my 3rd try it started working flawlessly. Mine was very easy to spin with the screwdriver, so limited corrosion I guess. I couldn’t plug and spin simultaneously, so had about a 2-3 second delay from plugging in to spinning the screw, but all in all a great success! Thanks again for the insight and $$$ saved!!!!
Thank you, Chad! I was worried when I went to start this back up and it buzzed, and then stopped. I watched your video, reset the breaker, spun the screw and wallah, back in business! Pump is only about 4 years old, so I knew it shouldn't be going this early.
Man if you were my neighbour I'd buy you a case of beer. Followed your exact instructions and got my pump working again. Thank you than k you thank you ! You saved me several hundred dollars from having to replace my pump.
Like many other comments left after watching this video, I couldn't get the pump to manually spin so I switched to a drill with a flathead bit, cleaned the basket out to release the blocked suction (very important), and follow the easy instructions in the video. The mission was quickly accomplished on a 2 year old pump that locked up. THANK YOU!!!!!! Can't express my gratitude enough for getting me out of a pinch on a hot weekend with a family pool and bbq party set to go tomorrow. Thanks again!!!!
THANK YOU...Was just about to hit the purchase button for a new $268.00 pump.. Motor was humming, impeller would not spin. Actually put screw driver into impeller side and un-lodged it. Looks like sand from the rocks deteriorating on my waterfall. This pump is used for my waterfall. Thanks again. Motor running great.
I thought that I would need a new motor/pump for my pool. The set-up I have is 20 years old ,so I'm thinking that's a good life for this motor. Just for S&G I tried UTube ,can't hurt to look and maybe I would find something. Boy oh boy did I ever. This is one of the best tips that I've received , ever.....EVER! I even went so far as to spin the motor shaft with my cordless drill. This backyard fix worked great. Squeelin',... grindin...',soundin' like a squirrel caught in a blender, Some gawdawful noise comin' outta that pump, but , it worked . After about 25-30 minutes ,runnin smooth and quiet as day one. Thank you saved me a bunch of time and ...AND...a lot of money. Keep on giving us these tips. Joe
Sir I truly apperciate the help, my pump did exactly what you described. I followed your instructions and the pump came right on. I really appreciate this video. Thanks again, Martin
I emptied my pool for about two weeks while we were doing a big job in the yard. When i refilled the pool and wanted to start the pump again it started humming. Immediately the dollar sign went off on my head thinking about buying a new pump. This video saved me time and money!!! Definitely giving you a thumbs up and sub!
Add another member of the no need to buy a pool pump this year club! Used a screwdriver on my Hayward unit, spun it around a few times and plugged it in and instant money saving results, thanks OP and subscribed.
This worked exactly as advertised and was exactly what I needed to learn. Thank you for the easy to understand instructional and background information!!! Subscribed :)
Great video. Screwdriver didn't work for me so I used a drill with a flat head chucked up. Spun it up to speed and then hit the switch. Fired right up.
Eric Payne I used a drill driver with the power off to confirm that the impeller wasn’t stuck. When I spun the shaft with the rechargeable screwdriver, the water started pumping into the pool. Great idea for troubleshooting.
Before I watched this video, this is what I also did with my pump and it helped kick-start it. But the corrosion is probably so bad that I have to keep doing this instead of letting my timer turn the pump on each day. I was hoping there would be a video on how to open up the motor so that I can give it a good cleaning inside.
This saved my pump! I ended up using a drill with a standard bit to “jump start” the pump. I couldn’t get enough torque just using the screw driver but the drill did the trick. I sprayed some lubricating oil inside the pump as well and now it starts up with no problems. I hope this tip helps someone resurrected their pump in the future!
I just got my pool last year - I’m a newbie. I didn’t run it all winter and tried to run it today and would only hum. Tried your trick and now it’s working!! You’re a life saver thank you!!!
Worked like a charm. I couldn't get it going with just the screwdriver, but resorted to using my cordless power drill instead. At a few attempts it worked! Absolutely brilliant!
Above Ground Pros . I need help! My pool is ready but the pump, when plugged in, does nothing. Just as if it was unplugged. where dp I start to fix it? Please help! my kids will be soooo happy :)
+Bigcat34 my guess would be either the pump is shot or you're not getting any power where you're plugging in the pump. I would first check on the power going to the outlet by plugging something into it to make sure it has power. If it does then the problem must be in your pump which could be an on-off switch on the pump or the pumps just shot.
Man so glad I watch your video. I had this issue and been looking around for a new motor but not anymore after watching your video. Thank you very much for posting! You earned my thumb up and a subscribe.
Worked fine - Repair shops must hate RU-vid. Back in the day I would have gone out, tried pump, no luck, ....pump broken, off to the shop, they would have done what you showed us to do and charged me $200 for the job.
Thanks brother. Mine would not restart after Harvey. Tried your trick, shaft was very tight and utilized additional torque (channel locks on the screwdriver), it broke loose and finally spun freely by hand. Hit the go button and walla, we have pump. Thanks again. Looks like you are looking at near 450k views. Good information.
THIS IS THE BEST AND MOST INFORMATIVE PUMP VIDEO ON RU-vid!!! THANK YOU SOO MUCH !! i now dont have to pay the pool store 25$ or more to clean my impeller out or perform maintenance on my pump anymore because i now know how this thing operates and its simple.....thank you again for this video . i came here because my wife and daughter vacuumed the pool because it got sand in it and now the pump is running hot so i assume sand in impeller .
Looked through numerous videos gave up, thought I would look at one more before heading out to buy a new pump, so glad I came across your video. Five minutes tops and now I have a working pump. Thank you so much for saving me time and money.
Also keep in mind that some bigger motors 3/4 HP and up might have a capacitor on top of the motor, this too can go bad and has to be replaced. If the video shown doesn't start your motor you most likely have to buy a new capacitor. There will be two screws holding a metal cover over the capacitor, remove that and the capacitor will have connectors on it or might have to cut the wires to remove it and use wire nuts to install the new capacitor. You also have an older motors that has a centrifugal clutch ( internally ) that is bad. it would be on the same end that has to be removed as in the video ( back of the motor ) The contact tips could be burnt or corroded that might need cleaned up with a file.
Jeff mine works with the screwdriver but wont start again unless i use the driver where would the capacitor be theres no visible cap on outsied and under the cover looks just like this one mine is 2 hp
Almost had a heart attack when my pump wouldn’t start. We spent $6k on a new liner last summer and before this video I though we’d have to buy a new pump. Turning the big bolt in the motor saved me and pump is running again. Thank you!
Dude, you just saved me buying a whole new pump! You should put up a site for donations, one little trick saves me maybe $200 or $300! I watched like 4 other videos, I was trying to spin from the impeller end, no luck. This worked like a charm!
You saved us! We had the little round piece that pops off. I couldn’t get it off to save my life, but my husband was able. A turn of that screw and we were up and running! Thank you!!
My motor quit while trying to backwash the pool. I just had a humming noise. Your trick was enough to get it going. The temps are 90 plus and I’m waiting for a new motor. You saved me! Thank you so much!!
Thank you, i had an older 1 speed pump and was popping circuit breaker, so i did what you said, but mine had a plastic cap with odd shape underneath it, either way i took a wrench to it and spun it around a few times and now it is fixed, Thank you for saving me money
Much like everyone else commenting below - this was my EXACT issue. Three days of messing around and then I watched this and had it running in 5 minutes. Mine was an old Hayward that was not a flat head screw at all but a strange nut that had two flat sides and two rounded sides. I was able to just use a huge adjustable to turn it. The funny thing is that it wasn't that "stuck". It turned pretty easy. Your trick about turning it as the power comes on was also dead on. My pump was hand turning no problem but not starting. I had to give it a spin as the power came on. Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you..Thank you.. And a big FU to the three pool places I called that couldn't be bothered to return my call in 3 working days. I understand it's a busy time of year but jeeze three days?
Saw this video when looking for a way to repair my pool pump. Worked great! I used a big adjustable wrench instead of a screwdriver to get the shaft loose. Then I just turned it on and it started right up. Thank you!
Funny that the service people that tell you the pump is bad don't even know this trick. Makes you wonder what kind of training they have or if they are lying through their teeth to make a buck.
I tried the screw driver and did pop it loose, but it was not turning freely. I then got out the drill with a flat head tip and spun the shaft for a good while. Rust and debris were flying out, That did the trick. I then plugged the motor in and now it is running smooth. I want to thank you for your post, I really appreciate it.
Please accept my most sincere thank you for your video. I followed your directions to the letter and it worked like a charm. You , sir, are a generous person for sharing this and it is deeply appreciated!
THANKS! For my Intex above-ground tiny little pump, I took this idea and opened the top, put in a crab-picker and spun the black mechanism a couple times...OH YEAH!!!! Your video saved me $40, not much compared to other pumps, but it's still $40!!!! And SO SIMPLE!
Hey Chad. I did everything up to the jump start and nothing worked. Then did your jump start and it fired right up. Thank you, saved me having to buy a new pump.
And another happy viewer! I couldn't wait until morning to see if this worked so I donned my headlamp and crocs at 11:30p and headed out to the back yard. I unscrewed the end cover to find that the capacitor shaft extended through the casing and had a plastic fan blade on the end (which I'm guessing is for passive cooling). I just turned the fan blade gently by hand and a felt it break free. A few more turns just to be sure and I plugged in the pump only to hear the sweet sound of moving water immediately. Thank you soooo much for your honest approach to remedying the issue! You save me $$$!
