Automatic Pool Cleaner ProblemsMany automatic pool cleaner problems are very easy for the homeowner to fix-heres a few troubleshooting tips. I've divided this section into two parts-pressure operated automatic pool cleaner problems and auto pool vacuum problems. I do not cover every problem,but the easier problems that can be fixed by homeowner. You can also contact me for additional help.
Pressure Side CleanersThe number one problem I can think of is a dirty finger screen as shown in the photo below. Its called a finger screen because the original pressure side cleaner,the Arneson Pool Sweep,had a screen about the size/length of a finger. The screen is sometimes inside a pool wall fitting,on the return plumbing,or attached to the wall fitting by a plastic housing-sometimes this housing is transparent so you can see when the screen is full of debris. The Hayward Viper has its finger screen in the head of the unit at the end of the feed hose. The number one reason it gets full is debris from filter right after backwashing or cleaning the filter. Also,if you have holes in your D.E. filter grids or defective o-rings or seals in your filter or backwash valve the screen can get clogged. If you see bits of plastic in the screen,you may have a damaged pump from running dry.
Another problem,if you are running the filter pump and pool cleaner pump on two seperate timeclocks is the timers may be out of synchronization. The pool sweep pump must get water from return plumbing while filter pump is running. Also,if pool cleaner pump runs by itself it may become heat damaged from lack of water flow,melting the impeller and/or damaging the shaft seal. Installing a multifunction timeclock that operates 2 or more circuits can solve this problem-there is a photo of this type of timeclock on the link below: If you have an automatic pool cleaner like the unit shown on the left or right below,you may need to replace the drive belts if it is not moving/moving very slowly.
Some cleaners are driven with gears-such as the unit above ...as these wear out,the unit will slow down also. You can tell on these units if you have gears or belts by looking at the wheels-the geared models have teeth. As the hose and hose fittings get older,they leak more and the loss of water pressure can slow down your unit. You can buy a whole hose kit or just the individual hoses and/or swivel connectors. Some pressure side cleaners such as the Polaris have an attached float which balances the unit....as these floats get older,they develop cracks which let water in and cause the unit to fall on its side.
Automatic Vacuum CleanersThe number one problem is lack of suction,which could be a small animal such as a rat,gopher,or rabbit and/or debris may be stuck in suction opening. If you have a dedicated line for suction cleaner(and another line for pool skimmer suction),the valve may not be turned enough to the pool cleaner side. Perhaps the filter is dirty or you have a pump problem. Below is link for common pool pump problems:If you have a suction cleaner that is run by geared program(it goes straight for a certain amount of time,then left,then right,etc.) the gears sometimes get small pieces of debris caught in them which can cause your cleaner to get stuck such as on a step. Many automatic pool vacuums have replaceable footpads that can cause cleaner to slow down or get stuck as they wear out. The hoses and/or the hose connections may have leaks. Some cleaners,like kreepy kraulys, have floats that balance the unit....if these floats get waterlogged,the cleaner may fall over on its side a lot. Hayward navigators or pool vacs have two pods on the bottom of the head...if these pods get loose,the cleaner will not move. Just tighten one screw on each side covered by a plastic cap. Also,attached to the pods inside the head are two "A" frames which have two ball bearing wheels on the top which ride a turbine...these wheels wear out after time,causing sluggish performance. Some suction cleaners such as the Baracuda have a latex-like diaphram in the throat(shown in the photo below) that must be replaced when it develops holes-the unit will come to a dead stop.
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