A whirlpool pump that won't run is most often a water-level safety cut-out rather than a broken pump … the sensor has to be covered before the pump is allowed to start at all. Work through the water level, blockage and air lock checks below before assuming the pump itself has failed.
Applies to: whirlpools
INTRO HERE
Compatible with many shower cabin brands including
Quick diagnosis
If your shower cabin is showing these symptoms:
- The jets won't turn on at all, even though the bath is full
- The pump runs but no water comes out of the jets
- The jets are noticeably weaker than they used to be
- The pump makes a loud grinding noise instead of a quiet hum
Likely causes, most likely first
- Water level below the sensor. Whirlpool pumps have a dry-run cut-out, and the water needs to reach roughly 2 inches over the top jet before the sensor allows the pump to switch on at all.
- An air lock in the pump. The pump runs, but no water comes out of the jets.
- A blocked suction intake. Hair or a towel over the intake starves the pump and the jets run weak.
- A worn pump bearing or debris in the impeller. Shows up as a loud grinding noise rather than the normal quiet hum.
Likely cause
Whirlpool pumps include a dry-run cut-out, so a pump that won't start at all is more often down to the water level than a fault … the sensor needs a couple of inches of water over the top jet before it lets the pump switch on. Once the pump is confirmed running, a lack of water from the jets points to an air lock, and weak or reduced flow points to a blocked intake or the air control dial being closed down.
Check this first
- Check the water level is at least 2 inches above the highest jet before switching the pump on
- Check the suction intake grille for hair, a flannel or anything blocking it
- Check the air control dial is open, since closing it right down reduces the power of the stream
How to identify your part
The whirlpool’s on/off button and regulator dial come in two styles … check which one is fitted before ordering, or measure the hole in the bath’s rim. Both styles need a 35mm hole to take the threaded body of the button or dial.
Parts that fix this problem
The following replacement parts usually fix this issue.
Not sure which replacement part you need? Send us a photo and we will help identify the correct replacement.
How to fix it
- Check the water level is high enough to cover the Water Level Sensor, roughly 2 inches above the highest jet
- Check the suction intake for any hair, fabric or debris blocking it
- If the pump runs but no water comes from the jets, switch the pump off at its isolator, then loosen the union nut slightly until water drips out, then retighten
- Open the air control dial fully to rule out a closed valve as the cause of weak jets
- Listen to the pump itself … a quiet hum is normal, a loud grinding noise means a worn bearing or debris in the impeller
- Check the connection pipe between the on/off button and the pump hasn’t filled with water
Also described as
- Steam shower
- Steam shower cabin
- Hydro massage shower
When to call a professional
If the checks above don't get the jets working and you suspect the pump motor itself has failed, that's an electrical component … call a qualified electrician or your installer rather than opening the pump housing yourself.
