Why does my pump keep cycling?

Author: Mr. Terence Tremblay III  |  Last update: Monday, November 24, 2025

The pump may be cycling because the pressure tank is waterlogged. If the pump hardly ever cycled in the past, but now is a common occurrence, the pressure tank may no longer have air in it. Pressure tanks act as a holding tank for water and air. There must be air pressure in the tank to help minimize cycling.

How do I stop my pump from short cycling?

To isolate the pump remove the system outlet hose and stick a short piece of hose with a ball valve on the end of it onto the pump. Now start the pump and purge the air from the short piece of hose and close the valve. It the pump stops cycling on & off the problem is in your system.

Why might a pump cycle on and off excessively?

Any time a pressure pump cycles it is because the line pressure has fallen below the sensitivity level of the pressure switch. Sometimes the pressure switches go bad & sometimes the 'check valve' can weep, but a totally solid system will hold the pressure placed into it for an extended period of time.

Why does my water pump keep cutting in and out?

If you have sufficient air but still have short cycling, you may have a faulty or clogged water pump pressure control switch. This can occur when the water is full of silt or other debris, or when the water has high mineral content. Replace or repair the switch to restore normal function.

Why does my water pump keep coming on and off?

If the pump just keeps turning on and off it's building too much pressure in the system and could short out your pump. When you turn on a faucet you release water pressure out of the closed system, once the pressure in the system drops below the set amount it will kick back on to rebuild pressure .

WHAT CAUSES A WELL PUMP TO SHORT CYCLE?

How often should a water pump cycle?

A CSV with a 4.4 gallon size tank (1 gal draw down) will cause the pump to cycle about 40 times per day on the average house. Using the CSV with a 20 gallon tank (5 gallons of draw down) will cause the pump to cycle about 20 times per day on the average house.

What is short cycling a water pump?

A pump short cycling happens when the water pump continuously switches ON and OFF while pumping water. The obvious disadvantage of water pump short cycling is the irregular water flow and premature wear of the motor.

How to fix pulsating water pressure?

Try to remove air pockets in the pipes by draining all pipes (hot and cold) starting with the highest faucet in the house, then slowly refilling the pipes.

Why does the pump keep stopping?

There is a reason gas pumps have an annoying habit of shutting off. Gas pump nozzles are designed with a device on the end that turn off the fuel flow when the gasoline runs back into it. This is a safety mechanism which prevents the gas from coming out and spilling when filling up the tank.

What to do if the water pump keeps running?

A smart first step is to ensure faucets and taps are turned off and also inspect appliances that use water, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, or outdoor sources like sprinklers or hoses. If any of these is on, it can also cause your well pump to stay on.

What does short cycling mean?

In the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) business, short cycling is a phrase used to describe when a heater or air conditioner cycles on and off too frequently. It signifies a problem in your heating system's proper functioning and efficiency, in which it is not completing its heating processes.

How do I know if my pump is failing?

You see water or other fluids leaking from the pump. The pump isn't generating enough pressure to correctly move fluids through your system. The pump is running hot, even when there's no load on it. The motor seems to be struggling or straining when the pump is running.

Can you add air to a pressure tank with water in it?

To ensure the longevity and efficiency of your well pressure tank, there are a few simple steps you should take when adding air. First, turn off the water supply to the tank to prevent any mishaps during the process. Then, drain any excess water out of the tank to create more space for the added air.

How do I stop short cycling?

How To Stop and Prevent Short-Cycling
  1. Check your air filter. Believe it or not, a clogged air filter can cause a wide variety of air conditioning issues. ...
  2. Check your thermostat placement. ...
  3. Check your air conditioner's refrigerant levels. ...
  4. Replace the low-pressure control switch. ...
  5. Check the compressor.

How to tell if a pressure tank is waterlogged?

Common signs that your pressure tank is waterlogged are:
  1. You hear the pressure switch clicking on and off in rapid succession. ...
  2. Your pump is short cycling. ...
  3. The top of your tank feels cold or is wet with condensation. ...
  4. No “Hollow” sound if you knock on the tank. ...
  5. The needle on your pressure gauge is jumping around.

What causes pump cycling?

The pump may be cycling because the pressure tank is waterlogged. If the pump hardly ever cycled in the past, but now is a common occurrence, the pressure tank may no longer have air in it. Pressure tanks act as a holding tank for water and air. There must be air pressure in the tank to help minimize cycling.

Why does my breast pump keep stopping?

Your breast pump's valves and membranes work together to facilitate suction; when they get old or break, that suction decreases. If you notice cracks, tears, or defects of any sort in these pieces, it's time to replace them.

What is it called when the pump starts and stops frequently?

Short cycling, for all intents and purposes, refers to a water pump that turns on and off too frequently.

Why does my pump keep going on and off?

Insufficient water supply to the pump can cause it to turn on and off frequently. This may be due to a clogged inlet screen, a malfunctioning well pump, or a low well yield. Problems with the pressure tank, such as a waterlogged tank or a faulty air pressure control, can cause the pump to short cycle.

How to stop water pump pulsing?

Removing dirt and limescale deposits can restore the water pressure and stop the pulsating. Backflow of water: Installing a non-return valve is an effective solution to prevent water from flowing back into the system.

Why does my water pressure keep fluctuating?

As water travels through your plumbing system, it carries along minerals and debris. Over time, these particles can accumulate in the pipes, forming a layer of sediment. This buildup acts as a bottleneck, restricting the smooth flow of water and causing fluctuations in pressure.

What causes pulsating pump pressure?

Pulsation generally occurs when a liquid's motive force is generated by reciprocating or peristaltic positive displacement pumps. It is most commonly caused by the acceleration and deceleration of the pumped fluid. This uncontrolled energy appears as pressure spikes.

Why does my water pump keep losing pressure?

Improper inlet conditions are one of the most common reason pumps fail to produce their expect pressure. Inlet issues may also cause ongoing reliability problems. One culprit is air entrainment or lack of prime. It is important to make sure that system is designed so that liquid floods the pump to prime it.

How do you fix a short-cycling heat pump?

When you first notice short-cycling, check to see if the air filter is dirty and replace it with a new one. Refrigerant loss: Leaking refrigerant puts the entire heat pump in jeopardy of burning out. You'll need professionals to link the leaks, seal them, and recharge the lost refrigerant.

How much pressure should be in a pressure tank?

Your well tank's pressure should be set at 2 psi below the pressure switch's cut-on point. This differs depending on your tank's pressure settings. Most well tanks come set at 30/50. The cut-on pressure for the well pump is 30 psi, so the pressure of the tank should have a pressure of 28 psi.

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