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How to Test a Pressure Switch on a Hawk and Cedric Control Box in 8 Comprehensive Steps

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In this post, we are going to show you how to test a pressure switch on a Hot Spot spa with a Hawk or Cedric control box. A failed pressure switch will show an error code of double dashes on the control panel. This is a common problem and a quick and easy test. First, let’s determine the tools you will need.

Tools You Will Need:

  • A flat blade or Phillips head screwdriver

Step 1. Disconnect power from the spa.

how to test a pressure switch

Step 2. Unplug the pressure switch from the motherboard.

Step 2. Unplug the pressure switch-

Step 3. Remove the filter.

Step 3. Remove the filter-

Step 4. Reconnect power to the spa.

Reconnect the power 230v 1-

Step 5. Immediately start the low-speed pump by pressing the JETS button once.

Step 5. Start the low speed pump-

Step 6. Immediately jump the TOP TWO PINS of the pressure switch on the motherboard by touching the top two pins together with a large flat blade or Phillips head screwdriver.

Step 6. Jump the pressure switch-

Hold the screwdriver down firmly between the top two pins for at least 15 to 20 seconds. You need to make a solid connection between the two pins.

Step 6.5 Top two pins close up-

STEP 7. The red LED HEAT light (D20) will come on and the double dashes on the control panel will go away. This means you have a bad pressure switch!

Step 7. The HEAT light is on and dashes are gone-
Step 7.5 Red HEAT light is on-

Step 8. If the red LED HEAT light fails to come on and the double dashes don’t go away, repeat the test using a different screwdriver. Sometimes you will have to do the test a few times before the red HEAT light turns on and the double dashes go away.

Note: A bad pressure switch turns the heater off. If the red HEAT light (D20) turns on when you jump the pressure switch, it means you have a bad pressure switch. If the pressure switch test doesn’t work after several attempts, you may have a bad control box.


Watch the video here “How to Test a Pressure Switch on a Hawk and Cedric Control Box in 8 Steps



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