As Dave noted, voltage surges seem to be a common cause of premature VS pump death. Thunderstorms aren't common in AZ, but I think you occasionally get them. Another possible cause is a transformer induced voltage outage. In my area (Chattanooga) when squirrels are in the breeding seasons, and get 'twitterpated', they tend to get migratory AND careless, resulting in 'quick-fried' squirrels and blown transformers.

Anyhow, if the manual doesn't cover a flashing LED display, call Hayward. The VS pump makers don't like talking about it, but these pumps are quite sensitive to voltage surges. The flashing LED may indicate fried electronics (= $$$), but the marketing department may have made the customer service department omit that little tidbit. Most likely, the phone support guys DO have that info in THEIR script book.

If it is fried electronics, expect to spend 75% or more of the cost of a pump for replacement parts.

Please let us know how it goes; we know this problem occurs, and we are pretty sure that the makers are concealing info about frequency -- and thus ways to avoid the problem -- but we don't have much more info than that.