Hayward Navigator Problem Solving

The Hayward Navigator Pool Cleaner is one of the best suction style pool cleaners available. Working properly, the Navigator will help keep your pool clean from debris throughout the year. In order to keep the pool sweep working efficiently it is important to do routine checks and perform maintenance and repair on the cleaner when necessary.

Following are the most common problems along with helpful tips on solving those problems for the Hayward Navigator pool cleaner..

Hayward Navigator is not moving.
Make sure there is goo suction getting to the cleaner. If there is not enough suction the cleaner will not move. While the filter is on, carefully feel the suction at the bottom of the cleaner. If there is not sufficient suction, either the valves are not set correctly OR the filter needs cleaning. .

If there IS good suction, check for debris in the cleaner that might be blocking the turbine. Turn the filter off and remove the cleaner head from the swimming pool. Using a screwdriver, remove the inspection plate at the bottom of the cleaner by loosening the self contained screw. Once the inspection plate is removed, look to see if there is any debris (rock, twig, leaves) are stuck inside keeping the turbine from turning. Most often, the debris can be removed with your fingers or gently shaken out by hand. Gently flush the cleaner out with water if necessary until the turbine turns freely.

Hayward Navigator gets stuck on the main drain
Adjust valves – with suction side cleaners, it is not necessary to have as much, if any, suction from the main drain since the pool cleaner is picking up any debris each day. The cleaner could be getting suck because it is fighting against the main drain. Adjust the valves to mostly or completely turn off the suction from the main drain. This should stop the Navigator from getting stuck on the main drain.

Hayward Navigator goes in circles and/or the hose gets tangled
The gearbox may need to be replaced – while the cleaner is running, hold the hose nearest the Navigator head, keeping the cleaner submerged, and observe it's actions for a couple of minutes. The cleaner should automatically turn in both directions. If it doesn't, the gearbox is probably malfunctioning.

The pods may need maintenance – holding the Navigator out of the pool, check the play in the pods. While moving the pods back and forth, there should be very little play in both pods. If there is a lot of play in either of the pods, the pod could be loose. Remove the pod plug and tighten the pod screw. If this doesn't work, the pods may have a crack in them and will need to be replaced.

The cleaner hoses might have a bad memory. If you remove the cleaner and hoses from the pool and lay out the hoses, they should lay straight. If not, they have a bad memory that could be causing the Navigator to move in circles and get tangled. Try laying the hoses out in the warm sun to erase any memory. Also, when returning the cleaner to the pool, switch up the hoses and place them in a different order each time to avoid memory issues.

Hayward Navigator sucks air from the surface.
This usually means that there is too much suction getting to the cleaner. Adjust the valves to direct less suction to the cleaner until the cleaner no longer reaches the surface, but still climbs the walls.