Polaris 380 Diagram and Troubleshooting

If the Polaris cleaner displays the following actions, adjustments may be necessary to restore performance. Refer to exploded parts diagram for part references.

Action: Cleaner hangs up on steps or other obstacles for longer than 3 minutes.

Solution:

1. Check the wheel RPM.
2. Verify the back-up valve is cycling.
3. Adjust the thrust jet.
4. Remove unnecessary swimming pool hardware or install a Ladder Guard Kit (order part #G21 from a Polaris dealer).

Action: Polaris is sluggish, running with less power than normal.

Solution:

1. Check the filter screen in the in-line filter and clean, if necessary.
2. Clean the skimmer basket, pump basket, and swimming pool filter.
3. Check all of the hoses, connections, and swivels for leaks that could cause loss of water pressure.
4. Check the wheel RPM.

Action: Polaris flies around the swimming pool and/or does not make contact with the bottom.

Solution:

1. Confirm that the blue restrictor disk is installed in the UWF to decrease water flow. Or, install the red restrictor disk to decrease water flow even more.
2. Check the wheel RPM. If more than 32 RPM, unscrew the pressure relief valve to decrease water flow to cleaner. Note: The pressure relief valve should only be adjusted when a restrictor is installed.
3. Verify the back-up valve is cycling. Hold the valve out of the water and watch the jet. It should come on and go off.

Action: Polaris does not back up.

Solution:

1. Verify the back-up valve is cycling.
2. Check the wheel RPM.
3. If the bag is full, empty it.
4. If head float has water in it, replace it.
5. Make sure feed hose is floating.

Action: Polaris only turns in one direction.

Solution:

1. Adjust the thrust jet.
2. Make sure feed hose is floating.

Action: Feed hose becomes tangled.

Solution:

1. Remeasure the hose to verify that it is adjusted to the proper length for the swimming pool shape.
2. With the Polaris operating, check that the swivels in the hose and the hose connections turn freely.
3. Make sure feed hose is floating.
4. With the Polaris turned off, spin each of the wheels. All wheels should turn together.

Action: Sweep hose is sucked into the vacuum tube.

Solution:

1. Make sure the opening at the end of the sweep hose is not blocked by the sweep hose scrubber.
2. Adjust the sweep hose to a gentle sweeping motion.

Action: Sweep hose sprays too much water out of the swimming pool.

Solution:

1. Adjust the speed of the sweep hose by tightening the adjustment screw.
2. Replace the sweep hose scrubber if it is worn or missing.
3. Add a sweep hose weight (order part #B2) to keep the sweep hose from spraying.

Action: The cleaner does not clean the entire swimming pool.

Solution:

1. Check the hose length reaches within 6of the farthest point of the swimming pool. If not, order a new hose section from your Polaris dealer.
2. Check thrust jet for 11:00 position that optimizes random turning.
3. While the cleaner is operating, hold it upside down and look into the vacuum tube. There should be three distinct, even jets of water. If there are not, contact Customer Service or a Polaris authorized Service Center for assistance.

Action: The cleaner is running in circles on its side.

Solution:

1. Check filter bag, if full it can weigh the cleaner down on one side.
2. Remove the head float and shake it. If there is water in the float, order a new one.
3. Check the hose floats to make sure they are spaced evenly.