Pellets not feeding at all from hopper to firepot, but auger motor can be heard running.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Turn the grill OFF, unplug it, and allow it to cool before working on the auger.
Step-by-step checks:
- 1. Empty hopper: Remove pellets to expose the auger intake.
- 2. Observe auger: With the hopper empty, start the grill briefly and look to see if the auger shaft is turning at the intake. If not, proceed.
- 3. Access motor end: Remove the side or rear panel to access the auger motor and coupling.
- 4. Inspect shear pin/coupling: Check for a broken shear pin or loose set screw connecting the motor to the auger shaft. Replace the pin or tighten the coupling as needed.
- 5. Test feed: Reassemble, refill hopper, and run a priming cycle to confirm pellet movement.
When to call a technician: If the auger shaft itself is damaged or separated from the flighting, replacement of the auger assembly may be required.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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