My Swimming Pool Timer is Not Turning On

Manual Switch

• The manual activation switch operates the pool timer when the switch is flipped on. Should the timer fail to activate the pool pump with the manual switch, there could be a problem with the wiring. The power lines from the timer to the pool pump might be switched at the positive and negative power terminals on the timer or pool pump. Turn the power off and confirm that the lines are connected to the correct positive and negative terminals to troubleshoot this problem.

Circuit

• A recent thunderstorm might have produced a lightning strike, which caused a power surge. This event may have tripped the breaker for the pool timer. If the switch is in the “Off” or center position, the breaker is tripped, the electrical circuit to the pool timer is open and electricity is unable to flow to the device. Once the breaker switch is flipped back over to the “On” position, the timer function should resume. The current time will need to be reset, but the start and stop times should remain the same.

Wiring

• It’s possible for the power from the circuit to the timer to be mis-wired, causing the unit to malfunction. A power supply mis-wire could mean the difference between a pool timer that won’t shut off and one that won’t turn on. Pull open the front panel of the pool timer to access the electrical panel. You can reconfirm the wiring scheme through the timer instruction manual then reset the connection by unscrewing the terminals and disconnecting the wires. Confirm that each wire is stripped at least 1/2-inch and that no insulation is caught under the terminal screw.

Time

• One reason the timer could fail to activate may be the pool timer clock. The clock determines the pool timer's schedule, so the right setting is paramount to the correct function of the unit. Some units feature a round disc that rotates, marking the 24 hours of the day. The disc can be pulled out and turned until the correct time is set on the “Time” arrow or indicator.

Trippers

• If the start and stop trippers aren’t set correctly, the pool timer can’t activate the pool pump at the right times. Light-colored trippers are used for "On" times while dark-colored trippers denote "Off" times. The "On" tripper should mark the time that you want the pool pump to activate, and the "Off" tripper should mark the time that you want the pool pump to shut off.