AO Smith
Motor Winding Overheating / Electrical Short
AO Smith pool pump motor emits a burning smell or visible smoke shortly after starting.
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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.
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Possible Causes
Shorted stator windings, Locked rotor drawing high current, Incorrect voltage or wiring, Debris blocking motor ventilation
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety Warning: Immediately turn OFF power at the breaker if you smell burning or see smoke. Do not attempt to restart the pump.
- Inspect motor exterior: After cooling, check for burn marks, melted insulation, or discoloration on the AO Smith motor housing.
- Check shaft movement: Ensure the shaft spins freely by hand. A locked rotor can quickly burn windings.
- Verify wiring and voltage: Confirm that the motor is wired correctly for the supply voltage and that no wires are shorted or touching the frame.
- Do not reuse damaged motor: If windings have overheated, the motor is unsafe to operate and should be replaced with a matching AO Smith replacement motor.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Motor Assembly
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