TROUBLESHOOTING
GUIDE
Below
are troubleshooting charts with causes and solutions for common
water softener problems.
Need
help troubleshooting?
- Call
1-888-64WATER (1-888-649-2837)
Tools
needed for most repairs:
- 5/16
Hex Driver
- Phillips
Screwdriver
- Needle-nose
Pliers
PROBLEM:
No
soft water.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
No
salt in the storage tank. |
Refill
with Morton® System Saver® Pellets. |
None |
|
2. |
No
salt in the storage tank. |
Use
"Recharge Now" feature. |
None |
PROBLEM:
No
soft water timer display blank.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Transformer
unplugged at wall outlet, or power cable disconnected, transformer
OR power cord defective. |
Check
for loss of power and correct. Reset timer and use the "Recharge
Now" feature. |
Power
Supply Kit
 |
|
2. |
Fuse
blown circuit breaker popped, or circuit switched off. |
Replace
fuse, reset circuit breaker, or switch circuit on and use
the "Recharge Now" feature. |
None |
|
3. |
Timer
control board defective. |
Use
the "Vacation" feature to return the softener to
soft water position. Use the "Recharge Now" feature. |
Electronic
Control
Board Kit
|
PROBLEM:
"VAC"
flashing in display
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Time
in Vacation ("VAC") position. |
Use
the "Vacation" feature to return the softener
to soft water position. Use the "Recharge Now"
feature. |
None
|
PROBLEM:
No
soft water, salt level not dropping
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Salt
in storage tank bridged. |
Break
salt bridge.
 |
None
|
|
2. |
Manual
bypass valve(s) in bypass position. |
Pull
out stem in single bypass to service.
|
None |
|
3. |
No
regeneration set on timer. |
Select
and program a regeneration schedule. Use the "Recharge
Now" feature. See pages 19-22 of the manual for further
instructions.
 |
None |
PROBLEM:
No
soft water, salt storage tank full of water, water running to
the drain while unit is in the soft water cycle.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Dirty,
plugged or damaged nozzle and venturi. |
Take
apart, clean and inspect nozzle and venturi.
|
Nozzle
Kit
|
|
2. |
Inner
valve defect causing leak. |
Replace
Seals and rotor. |
Rotor
Seal Kit
|
|
3. |
Valve
drain hose plugged. |
Hose
must not have any kinks, sharp bends or any water flow blockage. |
None |
|
4. |
Low
or high system water pressure (low pressure may disrupt brine
draw during recharge, high pressure may cause inner parts
failure). |
If
pressure is low, increase well pump output to a minimum 20
psi. If daytime pressure is over 100 psi, add a pressure reducing
valve in the supply pipe to the softener. |
None |
|
5. |
Brine
valve float kit dirty or defective. |
Clean
brine or replace valve float kit assembly. |
Float
Kit
|
|
6. |
Leak
between valve and resin tank assembly. |
Replace
tank valve O-rings. |
Tank/Valve
O-Ring Kit |
PROBLEM:
Water
is hard sometimes.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Time
setting wrong. |
Check
and change time setting. |
None
|
|
2. |
Regeneration
too few. |
See
regeneration chart for correct settings.
MSS20B  |
None
|
|
3. |
More
water being used. |
See
regeneration chart for correct settings.
MSS20B |
None
|
|
4. |
Hot
water being used when softener is regenerating. |
Avoid
using hot water while the softener is regenerating as the
water heater will fill with hard water. Check timer for correct
settings. |
None
|
|
5. |
Possible
increase in water hardness. |
Test
the raw water for hardness and iron, and program the timer
accordingly.
 |
None
|
|
6. |
Leaking
faucet or toilet valve. Excessive water usage. |
A
small leak will waste hundreds of gallons of water in a few
days. Fix all leaks and always fully close faucets. |
None
|
PROBLEM:
Resin
in household plumbing, resin tank leaking.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Crack
in distributor or riser tube. |
Replace
resin tank assembly. |
Resin
Tank Assembly Kit
|
PROBLEM:
Salt
storage tank leaking.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Crack
in brine tank. |
Replace
salt storage tank assembly. |
Salt
Storage Tank Assembly Kit
|
PROBLEM:
Motor
stalled or clicking.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Motor
defective or inner valve defect causing high torque on motor. |
Replace
rotor/seal. |
Rotor-Seal
Kit
|
|
2. |
|
Replace
motor and switch. |
Motor/Switch
Kit
|
PROBLEM:
Error
code E1, E2, E3 or E4 appears.
| |
POSSIBLE
CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS
|
REPAIR
KIT(S)
NEEDED |
|
1. |
Wiring
harness or connection to position switch. |
Replace
wiring harness or connection to position switch.
|
Motor/Switch
Kit
|
|
2. |
Switch. |
Replace
switch. |
Motor/Switch
Kit
|
|
3. |
Valve
defect causing high torque. |
Replace
rotor seal. |
Rotor/Seal
Kit
|
|
4. |
Motor
inoperative. |
Replace
motor. |
Rotor/Seal
Kit
|
MAINTENANCE
TROUBLESHOOTING