water is not circulating / cannot backwash

[coolpoolguy]

I am a newbie and need advice. Water is not circulating. Filter pump turns on, but filter basket area does not seem to be pulling in water. Tried to backwash, but I saw limited water flow and after trying backwash again, nothing is happening. What should I try/do next to diagnose problem. Jandy Stealth pumps in use.

[CarlD]

Something is blocked. It could be your lines, your pump, your filter, or your multivalve. Does the pump work when you set the multivalve to WASTE? If yes, the problem isn't in your pump or the lines to your pump, but in the filter or multivalve.

If you disconnect the pump from the filter does it pump? If no, then your problem is in the pump or the lines to it. Plug your drains then disconnect the return line from the pump. Slowly open one of the plugs in the drain. If the water flows freely, you've now isolated the problem to your pump.

Diagnose by eliminating where the problem cannot be. Whatever is left is the source of the problem.

[Poconos]

CPG, Welcome to the forum. Sounds like it could be a small air leak in the suction side of the pump. This includes the pump basket and lid with the lid being the most likely place. Sounds like the pump isn't pulling enough of a vacuum to self prime. First, with the pump off fill the pump basket with water, close the lid and see if the pump dumps that water. This may also start a normal flow. 'manual priming'. Make sure the lid gasket is clean and get some silicone grease (pool store) and clean and lube the lid gasket. If that doesn't cure the problem an air leak may be somewhere else in the suction side. It only takes a very tiny leak to prevent priming so let us know what you find and we'll work it from there. You can also open the lid, turn on the pump and dump a 5 gallon pail of water into the basket and see if you get any pressure reading on the gauge. If that water comes out your returns then there is no pressure side blockage.
Al