Rheem
Motor Overheating / Electrical Failure
Pump emits a burning smell or visible smoke from the motor area.
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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 windings in Rheem motor, Blocked ventilation causing overheating, Prolonged operation under locked rotor or overload, Incorrect voltage applied to motor
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Immediately turn OFF power at the breaker. Do not attempt to restart the pump.
- Allow to cool: Let the motor cool completely before inspection.
- Inspect for damage: Look for melted plastic, burned wiring, or charred insulation. A strong burnt odor usually indicates internal motor failure.
- Check supply voltage: Verify the pump was wired for the correct voltage per Rheem nameplate to prevent repeat failures.
- Replace motor: Do not reuse a motor that has smoked or burned. Replace the Rheem motor assembly and associated damaged wiring.
- Investigate root cause: Check for seized pump components, blocked flow, or misapplied voltage that may have caused the failure.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Rheem Pump Motor Assembly
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