Little gray box electric timer. the clock dial seems stuck. makes a humming noise and is not moving. started happening after a power outage.

It sounds like the timer may have been affected by the power outage and is not functioning properly. If the timer is a mechanical timer, you can try resetting the time on the timer and check if the trippers (ON/OFF pointers) are set to the correct time and are not loose. If the trippers are loose, then they could slip and cause issues with the pump turning on/off at the correct times. You can also try lubricating the manual on/off switch with a lubricant such as WD-40. If the timer is a digital timer, you can try replacing the battery to see if that resolves the issue.

* Warning, High voltages present (220-240VAC).
* Call electrician or plumber for service.

*** Following is for information only.***
* Mechanical timers have several parts that do burn out and needs replacement (suggest using an electrician)
* The timer switch will get stuck (welded) and keep the heater on all the time. (usually it will overheat the tank and pop the thermostat high limit switch.)
* This "shorted" condition of the timer will also show up as the water heater will over boil and blow the pressure safety valve located on top of the water heater. The valve may also be connected to a drain line that extends down to the floor drain or exit out the wall to an outside yard or drain.
* The timer also has a clock drive that moves the on/off dial or wheel. This wheel should turn when powered up. Albeit very slow like the minute hand on a watch. You will have to wait at least 30 mins to notice any movement of dial.
* The timer does make a "whirling" clock noise, but the area may be too noisy for you to check.
* The timer motor (if visible) does move when powered. But this may be difficult to observe as it's usually mounted in a box.
* Water time switch Installed (by lady); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tO4grzZ9iU
* Note: if you already have the same brand and model timer replacement then you can just replace the "guts"
* DIY replacement (GE); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tym7jmNtk8
* Install "little Gray Box"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmhiN1-DrSY
* Setting up and setting On/Off times; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqNZc5cW_KE
* Customer's trouble shoot timer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7iOh_Plh2g
* Be safe, call for service.
Aloha, ukeboy57

Maybe yes.
Open TP valve on water heater and see if heater has hot water.

If you want to test, then test across wires on terminals 2 and 4 for 240Volt. Test across terminals 1 and 3 for 240Volt.

To fix timer, buy new WG1573 240Volt clock motor.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-Intermatic-timer.html

Gene
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If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

More information is needed.
Question posted under Intermatic T101 120Volt timer. Timer model number appears on inside of timer door. Add a comment any time and it sends email and I will respond.

Open following link for Intermatic timer troubleshoot walk-thru:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-Intermatic-timer.html

When you turned off power, did you turn off circuit breaker? Or turn off manual override on timer?
If circuit breaker is turned on, does the timer dial rotate?
If timer dial rotates and keeps good time, then electricity to timer is good, timer clock motor is good.
If dial is rotating, what happens when you move override lever back and forth? Does load turn on?
Read through troubleshoot on link above and then add a comment with more details if needed.

Paragon 4004-20 is DPST mechanical timer with 240V clock motor
http://waterheatertimer.org/Paragon-timers-and-manuals.html#Paragon4000
http://www.intermatic.com/customer%20service/competitive%20cross%20reference.aspx

I'm guessing that clock motor is source of noise.
If timer is keeping good time and dial is not slowing at tripper points then timer is basically sound.
Turn power OFF and spray WD40 or put a bit of white grease on the gears.
The noise might also be the timer mechanism vibrating in the box... see if snapping out the mechanism and putting it back makes a difference ... you might have to push sides of box inward to hold mechanism tighter.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Yes, the T101M 120Volt pool timer requires both ON and OFF trippers:

Grainger sells T100 series on-off trippers:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INTERMATIC-Timer-Tripper-2E054?Pid=search
Amazon sells T100 trippers
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YO2C5U/?tag=picc-20

Grainger sells the T100 125V clock motor
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/timer-accessories/timers/electrical/ecatalog/N-8hi

How to wire T-101 120Volt timer
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-T104-Intermatic-timer.html#T101

How Intermatic dial timer clock works.
Clock motor rotates dial.
Intermatic clock motor, located on back of mechanism, are replaceable
Trippers located on outer edge of dial push on-off lever
ON tripper pushes lever one direction
OFF tripper pushes lever opposite direction.
Lever pushes electrical contacts together and pulls contacts apart.
When lever moves, manual override also clicks back and forth with audible click.
To replace timer, replacement snaps into box without needing to changing box.

You posted under T101 timer.
Most box timers have model number and instructions pasted on inside of door.
Instructions can seems a foreign language sometimes.

If your timer is different than T101, then add a comment with timer number.
I have extensive files on timers.

Box timers are generally used for heavy amperage loads like outdoor lights, swimming pool pumps, water heaters, parking lot lights and lighted outdoor signs.
They are surface mounted near breaker box, or in attic or basement, or garage.
Box timers are used in schools to ring bells, and inside factories to run processes and fans.
Some are complicated electronic devices used to control machines with one second precision.
Mechanical box timers are noisy when turning on-off, so are generally not installed in living area of house.

T101 timer is least complicated of any timer.
It is used for ordinary household 120V circuit.
Timer has 120Volt clock motor, and controls 120Volt circuit.
For example 120Volt water heater, or 120V grow lights, or aquarium, or any application up to 2 horsepower, for example timer can be located inside garage to control outdoor lights.
T101R is raintight outdoor box, with rubber gasket on door that seals tight when closed.
Raintight boxes are installed outdoors to operate 120Volt spas and pool pumps.
When box timer is rated for indoor, there is no rubber gasket on door, and that box is called NEMA 1 enclosure.
My local Lowes sells T101 T103 T104 > and each is for slightly different purpose and each wires differently.
Link below shows wiring and manuals for T100 series timers.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-T104-Intermatic-timer.html#T101

Here's how T100 series timer works:
Lift and rotate yellow dial until current time lines up with silver pointer.
Clock motor rotates dial as time passes.
Clock motors are accurate for years, but current time has to be reset after power outage.
ON-OFF trippers are placed on outer edge of dial.
Trippers push a lever, and lever turns circuit on-and-off.
ON tripper pushes lever one direction.
OFF tripper pushes lever opposite direction.
Each time lever is pushed, manual-override lever clicks back and forth with audible sound.

What kind of Woods timer do you have?

Is the dial turning? The dial is the clock. And the clock needs electricity to work, just like alarm clock. If dial is not turning, the wiring is not right.

Does the manual override turn on the lights? Maybe the slider switch set to OFF? Set slider to "Timer" for timer functions to work.

Wall timer:
If you have 59017 wall timer, it has dark PM white AM. You rotate dial until correct time lines up with little triangle located on right side of center knob.


There are 48 plastic pins on dial ... when pins are moved out, the lights are off. For timer functions, set slide switch to 'Timer'
Correct wiring is needed for timer to work:
Timer black attaches to Hot wire from breaker box
Timer red attaches to wire going to Load (lights)
Timer white must attach to white Neutral (or if your box has no neutral, connect white to bare ground)
Timer green connects to bare ground

If wiring seems right but dial on front of timer is still not rotating, then reverse Timer red and Timer black and see if that sorts out problem.

If this is wrong Woods timer, please re-post question.

The dial is turned by electric motor and it should have power.