Pump just hums, won't turn over at start up

[dbursch]

Firing it up for the first time this season. Not had this happen before. Is this a simple part replacement (like a start up capacitor) or a sign of a dead pump?

[cleancloths]

Most likey either a bad capacitor of if it is 220v check the breaker, it could be that you are only getting power from one leg of the circuit.

[dbursch]

Well I just pulled the old capacitor -it was very corroded with alot of whitish powder built up around its base like a leaked battery. So I guess that's it. Mow I just need to find where I can get a replacement locally. Thanks

[Poconos]

Usually decent electrical supply stores have them. Could also be the starter switch contacts. If you dig for the capacitor then the switch contacts are right there too....usually. Sometimes the cap may be external though. If one leg of the 240 is dead then nothing will happen. Keep us informed and we'll get the problem solved.
Al

[cleancloths]

.... If one leg of the 240 is dead then nothing will happen.
Al

That is NOT necessarily true, depending on why it is out. I have seen cases when you loose a phase due to a short and you are effectively running the other phase to ground and will see 120VAC which will make a 220VAC motor humm.

[Poconos]

I've never seen a motor like that. I stand corrected. Thanks for the info.
Al

[cleancloths]

I actually had a problem like that with my heatpump once, that is how I know about it. One of the phases was hit by lightning which shorted it out to ground. If you think about it what happens now is that the other phase is now connected to ground which acts as a normal 120VAC circuit as opposed to phase to phase connection which gives you 220VAC.