E2 displayed and unit will not advance through regeneration stages
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: Unplug the softener before removing the control head cover. Place the system in bypass to relieve pressure on the valve.
- 1. Listen for motor operation: With the cover on, plug the unit back in and start a manual regeneration. Listen for the valve motor. A loud hum with no movement or no sound at all indicates a motor or gear issue.
- 2. Remove cover and inspect gears: Unplug again. Remove the control cover to expose the motor and cam gear assembly. Look for broken teeth, misaligned cams, or a loose motor mounting screw.
- 3. Check piston movement: With the system depressurized (bypass open, run a faucet to relieve pressure), gently try to rotate the cam by hand (if design allows). If it will not move, the main piston may be seized due to scale or debris.
- 4. Test motor voltage: During a commanded regeneration, measure voltage at the motor leads (use extreme caution, live voltage). If proper voltage is present but the motor does not turn, the motor is defective.
- 5. Inspect wiring: Verify the motor harness is fully seated on the control board and that no wires are pinched or cut.
- 6. Replace defective parts: If gears are stripped or the motor is open/shorted, replace the RainSoft valve motor and/or cam gear kit as a set to ensure proper timing.
Note: If the piston is jammed or the valve body is cracked, full valve service or replacement is recommended and is best done by a trained technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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