Tristar VS 950 - Pump Has Stalled: Troubleshooting Suggestions?

[Yeller989]

My Hayward Tristar VS 950 pump is displaying "Check System, Pump Has Stalled". Similar Hayward threads say the pump needs to be replaced, but I'm hopeful there are a few troubleshooting suggestions I can try since the pump is only 5 years old. For reference, the pump does not make any noise when powering up.

Does this pump have a capacitor that can be easily replaced? Do you have any other suggestions?

Pump Details

• Installed (Spring 2019)
• Hayward Tristar VS 950
• Model SP32950VSP
• ~20k gallon Pool

Troubleshooting
I've cut power to the pump, waited 30 minutes, then a few hours, same error

 

[1poolman1]

Are you able to turn the motor at the fan? Just use a small screwdriver or something like that to see if it will move. It looks like that drive was subjected to a lot of water. There are no user serviceable parts that can be replaced, like a capacitor. It may be "new pump/power end" time. The power end (new motor, drive, etc. everything that would come off with the removal of the six bolts) is available online at various places for about $975.00 +/-. Part SPX3206Z1VSPE.

 

[Yeller989]

I was wondering the same thing about the motor, so I pulled it out of the housing to get a better look. The shaft turns, but it's not consistent, it turns 1/2 way, then rubs hard against something, freeing up about 3/4 turn, then smooth till 1/2 way point. I'm assuming the shaft should turn pretty constantly.

Last year I pulled my booster pump (Polaris PB450) and replaced the seals because it was leaking, but this feels like a mechanical issue. I'm assuming I can buy a replacement motor, slide it into the housing, and start it up without any reprogramming.

You mentioned the motor looks like it was subject to water. The top electronics look clean, but the bottom of the motor lost its paint likely from salt/corrosion. There were no noticeable leaks since I inspect the equipment quite frequently, but I'm assuming there was a leak somewhere inside the shaft, causing this failure.

 

[Yeller989]

I dig a little deeper and pulled the shaft apart (shaft screw is cross threaded, impeller unscrews with your hand w/impeller held in place). I'm surprised to see how dirty the motor is behind the Seal Plate.




Pulling the shaft out was a twisted metal piece (in my fingers) attached to the magnets. This must have been what caught when manually turning the impeller.




Inside the motor, on the housing is a ton of metal pieces/flakes.



Looking at the back side of the shaft, the seal has failed (attached to the bearing in the pic below), but the bearing seems to run smooth. Not sure why the seal failed.



Sounds like I need to buy a new motor (just guessing). It appears the seals failed, killing a $600 motor. I wish Hayward spent a few more $$ on better-quality seals.

I kinda want to replace the seals, put the motor back together and test it out, just to see what happens.

 

[Yeller989]

Good news. I bought a new SPX3400Z1ECM Ecostar Motor ($567) and a Hayward seal kit (SPXHKIT100) from Swimming Pool Supply USA on Thursday (1/18), pump arrived Fedex Monday (1/22), installed the pump yesterday (screwed up and leaked out bottom of pump/motor assembly), reinstalled it again today and now everything is working.

Tips:
- The SPX3200T o-ring housing seal has a top and bottom. One way will fit nice and snug.



- Water will leak out of your pump/motor assembly you forget to install the Shaft Seal Assembly