The pool timer goes on, the hayward 2 HP pool pump turns on and then causes the circut breaker to pop. After two, three resets, it starts to work. This problem started a week agao. The pump is 9 years old.

Check for a water leak from the Volute to the Motor itself. this may cause the short.

1) Not likely the timer is problem, unless there was fire or overheating in timer box. Use nose and eyes to inspect for signs of high heat.

2) Eliminate timer as suspect:
Move wires on timer to test if timer relays have gone bad.
Move terminal 4 to terminal 3
Move terminal 2 to terminal 1
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-T104-Intermatic-timer.html#T104

3) Check watt rating of Hayward pump, and voltage.
1Hp motor at 240Volt draws 8 amp, and can draw 6 to 8 times that amount when starting. Up to 100 feet, should be at least 12 gauge wire and double-pole 20 amp breaker. Over 100 feet, 10 gauge wire and 30 amp double-pole breaker is best.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Color-codewire.html#motor

4) Intermatic T104 240V timer is rated 40 amps
Can safely handle 1 Hp motor without nearing heat-rating capacity of timer

5) Make sure the motor is wired correctly for 240Volts.
If motor is wired for 120, and 240 is applied, then tripped breaker can result.

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

Water sprayed on the pump occasionally shouldn't hurt it but it might cause a ground fault circuit interupter (GFCI) to trip. If you turn on the pump and literally nothing happens then most likely the the GFCI has tripped. If it hums then this is a different issue. If you have a volt meter you can open the timer box and check whether power is available to the timer. If no power is available in the timer then it confirms that the pump is probably ok. Checking your circuit breaker panel for a tripped breaker or finding a tripped GFCI then either one can be reset and your pump will probably run without a problem.

I hope this helps.

Your heater will not work until you fix your pump, and your pump won't work until you replace the shorted out motor.

sounds like a direct short in the motor windings. all I can recommend is taking the motor in the be tested.

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A BAD BREAKER.. THIS IS A GRAVY FIX.. I SEE A VOLT METER IN YOUR FUTURE YES ITS ONE TO CHECK 230 V AC .. YOU LOCAL CAR PARTS STORE HAS THESE CHEAP .. ASK HOW TO USE IT AND YOUR OFF.. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS 230 240v IN THAT RANGE ON THE 2 WIRES ON THE BACK OF THE MOTOR... OR EVEN THE TIMER.. NO?.....BREAKER NO? REPLACE BREAKER... BREAKER YES.. CHECK TIMER CONTACTS .. don't forget to prime your pump after a repair !!!!!!!!.. did i help ? well then please vote.. I got to get back to fix'n the pool pumps here in Florida ... Jay .. PPRG

Sorry, sounds like it's shorted out. Time to replace the motor

The motor may have blown the start capacitor. It is the black cylinder about 1-1/2" dia x 2-1/2" long. Look at the end with the wires for a small hole. Is it blackened or have a hole blown thru? If so replace it. Otherwise have a local electric motor repair shop look at it for possible repair or replacement.

You may have a faulty bearing ... causing the noise. The pump is actually water cooled. Do you have 2 inch line for your 2 HP pump? Small pipe makes the pump work harder. If your lines are smaller, you may want to consider a smaller pump.

the motors will run pretty warm.

Run your pump on high for best results.

If you are using a timer ... you will need a double pole switch to turn it off if it is setup for 220 VAC (which it should be, for most econimical operation)

reset breaker overide timer by tuning on if this works it is a timer issue