System Troubleshooting Guide - 3M 3MWTS Series Installation And Operating Instructions Manual

SECTION 6: SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Problem
Hard water (unit not using salt; liquid level in
brine tank not too high)
Hard water (unit using salt; liquid level in brine
tank not too high)
Liquid level in brine tank too high
System regenerates at wrong time of day
Water continuously flows to drain
Water tastes salty
White spots on glassware and dark surfaces
Low water pressure (low flow rate)
"Rotten egg" smell (from hot water only)
"Rotten egg" smell (from both hot and cold water
Loss of resin through drain
18 | 3MWTS Series Water Softeners – Installation Instructions
Possible Cause
Electrical service to unit interrupted
Timer not working
Timer improperly set
Safety brine valve not opening
Salt "bridged" in brine tank
Meter not functioning
Bypass open
Timer improperly set
No salt in brine tank
Excessive water usage
Unit installed backwards
Unit undersized
Brine valve not closing
Salt setting too high
Injector or Injector screen plugged
Drain line frozen, plugged or restricted
Salt "mushed" or sand from salt plugging bottom
of brine tank
Incorrect brine line flow control (BLFC)
Timer improperly set
Foreign material in control valve
Internal control leak
Control valve jammed in brine or backwash
position
Salt setting too high
Distributor tube too short
Sodium residual resulting from water having very
high hardness or total dissolved solids (TDS)
Iron build-up in line to water softener
Iron build-up in water softener
Well pumping sand
Pump losing capacity
Magnesium rod in water heater
Hydrogen sulfide ("sulfur") in water supply
Bacterial iron in water supply
Algae in water supply
Air in water system
Solution
Assure permanent electrical service is working
properly (check fuse, plug, pull chain, or switch)
Replace timer assembly
Check programming function
Replace safety brine valve
Breakup salt
Clean or replace as necessary
Close bypass (replace if necessary)
Increase frequency of regeneration
Add salt; maintain above water level
Increase frequency of regeneration and/or salt
setting (See HOW TO SET TIME OF DAY)
Reinstall unit
Replace with larger unit
Replace brine valve
Reset timer
Clean injector and screen
Free drain
Clean out brine tank (see instructions on page 14)
Replace with correct flow control valve (see
component part list on page 21)
Reset timer
Remove piston assembly and inspect bore:
remove foreign material and check control in
various regeneration positions
Replace seals and/or piston assembly
Replace piston, seals and spacers
Reset program cycle
Replace
Installation of additional water treatment
equipment such as reverse osmosis or
demineralization
Clean line to water softener
Clean control and add Iron Reduction Media to
resin bed: increase frequency of regeneration
Install sand trap
Contact pump repair service
Replace with aluminium rod or remove
Install CSX Sulfur Reduction System
Install APIF or APPM Iron Reduction System
Pour approximately 1/2 cup unscented laundry
bleach into brine well just before regeneration as
frequently as necessary
Assure that well system has proper air eliminator
control: check for dry well condition