1st thing Id like to say is Thank You to all the moderators here. Its such a thank-less job. Great job! I recently bought a house where the entire plumbing system was stripped out from vandals. I replaced everything from the well pump to the fixtures including a new 30gal pressure tank, electric 50gal water heater, and all-pex tubing. I powered the old 1/2hp pump with 12/2 wire and a 30amp breaker with a shut-off near the pump location. With all valves and fixtures open, I primed the pump and tried to turn it on. It fired right up but immediately shut back off. I continued the priming process hoping it was just air in the system but it continued the same pattern. Figuring it was a bad pump or pressure switch, I went and replaced both of those as well. I bought a brand-new 1/2hp pump that came with the pressure switch. It was supposed to be self-priming once the impeller housing was filled. Again, with all valves and fixtures open, I attempted to run the pump. Same problem. It would turn on but shut off after a couple of seconds. I have water coming up from the well but its black (assuming I just need to flush the pipe). I leave the spigot open at the pressure tank and still get the same result. The pump seems to get too hot as well. The next move Ill make, aside of taking a baseball bat to the thing;), will be to replace the old check-valve between the pump and well. Could this be the problem? The only thing I can think is that its stuck open just enough to pull water through, as well as drain back, but too restricted for the pump to run without over-heating.

First, I want to thank you all for taking the time out of your days to help John Q. Public with their household mishaps, you all have my deepest admiration! I have a well pipe that I believe is 6" diameter with a 240 volt, 1&1/2 HP, 10 GPM well pump, that was replaced on 5/24/1996 because the one that was 3 years old, failed. They also replaced the Square D Pumptrol , I believe it's Model#9013FSQ 2 at the same time. My well depth is 540' and the Pump set is 520'. I also have in my basement a Well X Trol Tank, Model # WX-203 with a max working pressure of 100 PSI and a test pressure of 100 PSI, however the gauge on the tank currently reads 0 PSI and it seems to be entirely empty. I routinely change the filter every three months and don't ever recall it feeling so "light". Last night, I jumped in the shower and all was fine. Not 5 minutes later, my wife went to use the shower and there was absolutely no water. Of course I checked the well pump breaker, which happens to run through my Generac whole house generator panel and is easy to find. I tried resetting the breaker, just in case. Nothing, I checked the water heater breaker, not that would effect the well pump however it too, runs through my generator panel, it was also fine. I've had the generator for 3 years now & it has worked flawlessly, so I'm thinking it has nothing to do with the generator panel. I then removed the cover from the Square D Pumtrol and checked the voltage in, which was 240v and out which also was 240v. I then went out to the well head & found an ants nest inside the cover. I resolved that rather quickly, then tested the voltage at the connector where the wires go down to the well pump & got 240v. I also noticed that there is no rope or anything else to aide in pulling the pump out, if in fact, that's what needs to be done. I did help the plumber pull the last pump out with my tractor because of the length, however, I was not home when they put the new pump down the well. I'm leaning towards the well pump being broken, simply by process of elimination, unless there is something that I have missed, overlooked or simply just don't know about. You have helped me in the past resolve my septic pump float issue, for which I am grateful, as it was a warranty item and only took my time to replace & that was great. Please let me know if you need any additional information, but I think I've been quit thorough in describing my system and its components. Thanks to all for lending your expert opinion, not having water is tougher than one can imagine, especially with three kids & a wife all wanting to take showers, wash clothes, etc.... Kindest Regards, fnolteiii