GE 31,100-Grain Water Softener and Filter in One Troubleshooting guide

Before you call for service.
Troubleshooting Tips
Save time and money! Review the chart on this page first and you may not
need to call for service.
NO SOFT WATER – Most Common Problems:
Check the following before calling for service:
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from local water company, water test or call the GE Answer Center (800-952-5039 in US).
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the Breaking a Salt Bridge section.
Problem
Possible Cause
What to do
No soft water
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taken not plumbed to soft water.
NOTE: Be sure sample is from a faucet
that does not mix soft and hard water.
For example, a single lever kitchen
faucet, if the cold side is plumbed to
hard water.
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soft water. From the outlet of the water softening
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plumbing. If soft water is not directed to a faucet
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No salt in the brine tank or salt
bridged
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with recommended salt. Press (for 3 seconds)
the RECHARGE button to start an immediate
recharge and restore soft water supply.
External power supply unplugged
at wall outlet or power cable to
softener not connected. Fuse blown
or circuit breaker popped on circuit
to electrical outlet. Electrical outlet
on a circuit that can continuously be
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softening system, due to any of these conditions
and correct as needed. With the power supply
restored, observe the faceplate time display and
read Programming the Control section. NOTE:
the electrical outlet for the softener should be live
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Manual bypass valve in bypass
position
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Blending valve in open position
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Valve drain hose pinched, plugged,
elevated too high or otherwise
restricted
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proper operation of the nozzle and venturi and
reduce or prevent brine draw during recharge..
Nozzle and venturi dirty, incorrectly
assembled or damaged
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instructions. With water pressure to the water
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apart. Inspect, clean and replace as needed.
Any foreign particle(s), scratches, nicks, etc. in the
passages can prevent operation. Be sure holes in
the gasket are centered over holes in the housing.
26
Before you call for service.
Problem
Possible Cause
What to do
Water hard sometimes
Using hot water while the water
softening system is regenerating
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system recharge because the water heater will
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Bypass During Recharge section.
Control HARDNESS number setting
too low
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HARDNESS. Be sure the number shown is the
same as the actual grains per gallon hardness of
your water supply. See Programming the Control
section if a change in setting is needed.
Grains of hardness in your water
supply have increased
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in well water. To check, have the water tested
by a water analysis laboratory or call your local
water department. Adjust the Hardness number
setting as needed.
Water feels slippery
after installation of
water softener
Absence of hardness minerals
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abrasive feel you may have been accustomed to.
The slippery feel is the clean feel of soft water.
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Water Softener not
using any salt
Water softening system is a
“demand” unit
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Possible salt bridge
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Possible plugged nozzle and venturi
‡6HHWKHCleaning the Nozzle and Venturi Assembly
section.
Water is blue color
after water softener
was installed
Acidic water in copper plumbing
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Water softener not
regenerating
Meter turbine stuck
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section for troubleshooting procedures .
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Sensor wire not plugged into the
control
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section for troubleshooting procedures .
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No power to unit
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Mechanical defect
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Combination of soft water and too
much detergent
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prevent this from happening, use less detergent
if you have soft water. Wash glassware in the
shortest cycle that will get them clean..
Cloudiness on glassware (automatic
dishwashers)
27
Before you call for service.
Problem
Possible Cause
What to do
Excessive/high level
of water in brine
tank
Valve drain hose pinched, plugged,
elevated too high or otherwise
restricted
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operation of the nozzle and venturi and reduce or
prevent brine draw during recharge.
Nozzle and venturi dirty, incorrectly
assembled or damaged.
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instructions. With water pressure to the water
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apart. Inspect, clean and replace as needed.
Any foreign particle(s), scratches, nicks, etc. in the
passages can prevent operation. Be sure holes in
the gasket are centered over holes in the housing
Unit not sanitized
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run water from faucets to purge the salty water.
Low water pressure
Check pressure:
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Restricted drain hose
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Brown/yellow
colored water
Unit was idle for a period of time
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Resin beads showing up in drinking
water
Cracked distributor
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Sounds you might
hear
Running water from the unit into a
drain during recharge
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Water has air bubbles and is cloudy
Air in system after installation
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When power applied
to the system
Control needs to be programmed (a
power outage may have occurred)
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If “DAYS TO EMPTY”
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Low salt level, less than 15 days
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Salty tasting or
brown/yellow
colored water after
installation
Blue light Flashing
28
Before you call for service.
Problem
Possible Cause
What to do
Error Codes on
Control
Wiring may have worked loose in
the control
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to electronic board or switch. Reconnect as
required.
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If “Err” in display
Electrical problem with system
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29
Advanced troubleshooting for service.
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
3. Symbols in the display indicate POSITION switch
operation, (see Figure 19).
This water softener has a
self-diagnostic function
for the electrical system
Call for Service
(except into power and/
or water meter). The water
softener monitors electronic
components and circuits
Figure 18
for correct operation. If
a malfunction occurs, an error code appears in the
display.
While an error code appears in the display, all buttons
are inoperable except the MODE/SET button.
MODE/SET remains operational so the service person
can perform the Manual Advanced Diagnostics, see
below, to further isolate the problem.
Switch is open
Water Meter
Procedure for removing error code from display:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Unplug transformer from electrical outlet.
Correct problem.
Plug in transformer.
Wait 8 minutes. The error code will return if the
problem was not corrected.
MANUAL INITIATED ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
Use the following procedures to advance the water
softener through the regeneration cycles to check
operation.
Lift off the Salt Hole Cover, remove the top cover by
unlocking the tabs in the back and rocking forward,
to observe cam and switch operation during valve
rotation.
1. Press and hold MODE/SET for 3 seconds until the
Set low salt alarm display appears, next press the
MODE/SET button five addition times until “000”
shows in the display, then release, (see Figure 19).
2. The 3 digits indicated water meter operation as
follows: If you don’t get a reading on the display,
with faucet open, pull the sensor from the valve
outlet port. Pass a small magnet back and forth
in front of the
Motor
sensor. You
should get a
reading in the
display. If you
Sensor
housing
get a reading, Position
shut off water switch
Turbine
supply, unhook
the in and
Turbine
Valve
out plumbing
support and
outlet
and check the
shaft
turbine for
binding.
Switch is closed
Figure 19
4. Use RECHARGE button to manually advance the
valve into each cycle and check correct switch
operation. NOTE: Be sure water is in contact with
salt, and not separated by a salt bridge (see Breaking
a Salt Bridge section).
5. While in this diagnostic screen, the following
information is available and may be beneficial for
various reasons. This information is retained by
the computer from the first time electrical power is
applied to the electronic controller.
UP button to display the number
a. Press the
of days this electronic control has had electrical
power applied.
DOWN button to display the
b. Press the
number of regenerations initiated by the
electronic control since the code number was
entered.
6. Press and hold the MODE/SET button until the mode
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(see Figure 20). This code identifies the softener
mode. If an incorrect model code is displayed, the
softener will operate on incorrect configurations
data.
Figure 20
UP or
7. To change the code number, press the
DOWN button until the correct code shows.
8. To return to the present time display, press the
MODE/SET button.
9. Press the MODE/SET button to return to the present
time display. If the code was changed, make all
the timer setting. NOTE: If the control is left in a
diagnostic display or a flashing display when setting
times or hardness, present time automatically returns
if a button is not pressed within four minutes.
30
Advanced troubleshooting for service.
Service: Manually Advance Recharge Check
NOTE: The control display must show a steady
time (not flashing).
1. Press the RECHARGE button and hold in for
three seconds. RECHARGE begins to flash as
the water softening system enters the fill cycle
of recharge. Remove the brinewell cover and,
using a flashlight, observe fill water entering the
brine tank. If water does not enter the tank, look
for an obstructed nozzle, venturi, fill flow plug
or brine tubing. See Care and Cleaning of the
Water Softener System section.
softening system into fast rinse. Again look for
a fast drain flow. Allow the water softening
system to rinse for a few minutes to flush out
any brine that may remain in the resin tank
from the brining cycle test.
5. To return the water softening system to service,
press the RECHARGE button.
Position Markers
(valve in service)
2. After observing fill, press the RECHARGE
button to move the water softening system
into brining. A slow flow of water to the drain
will begin. Verify brine draw from the brine
tank by shining a flashlight into the brinewell
and observing a noticeable drop in the liquid
level over an extended period of time (is to 20
minutes).
NOTE: Be sure a salt bridge is not preventing
water from contacting salt. See Care and cleaning
of the water softening system section.
If the water softening system does not draw brine,
check:
„ nozzle and/or venturi dirty or defective.
„ defective nozzle and venturi seal.
„ nozzle and venturi not seated properly
on gasket.
„ other inner valve defect (rotor seal, rotor and
disc, wave washer, etc.).
„ restricted drain (check drain fitting and hose).
Motor
Cam
Figure 21
Valve Positions:
NOTE: If water system pressure is low, an elevated
drain hose may cause back pressure, stopping
brine draw.
Position
3. Again, press the RECHARGE button to move the
water softening system into backwash. Look
for a fast flow of water from the drain hose. A
slow flow indicates a plugged top distributor,
backwash flow plug or drain hose.
S
Service
F
Fill
BR
Brine Fill
BW
Back Wash
R
4. Press the RECHARGE button to move the water
31
Function
Rinse