My pearl whirlpool bathtub has turned on mysteriously when no one is home and no water in the tub...only one years old! Is this a sensor problem? Motor problem? touch-pad control problem? Please help, I paid a lot of money for this tub and I don't want it starting up and causing a fire or destroying the tub.

The 'low-water' sensor installed in a bathtub is designed to NOT allow the pump to run without water contacting it.
It sounds as if this is operating as it should.
Once the pump comes on you should be able to touch the "logo" or the on/off button to turn the pump on and off.
If the pump is not turning on/off when the tub is full of water you may be experiencing a problem with the control box under the tub skirt.

Rod
US Parts Center
888-521-6183

This sounds like a bad motor. It sounds as if it is overheating.
You will need the model number and brand of pump in order to find the correct replacement.

rod
us parts center
888-521-6183

go to http://www.uspartscenter.com/shopbybathmfg.aspx you should be able to find the parts for your tub there.

A company called Maax bought Pearl. They are out of Canada, It would be the first place I would check, they have a website Maax.com

home depot sell a bath tub remodelation kit.
it cost about $40 .

Is it a jetted tub, or a air bath tub with holes or jets in the floor? If it has holes or jets in the floor, the control box is bad and needs replaced. If it is a jetted tub, there may be a water level sensor, if so the sensor may be bad causing the tub to turn on.

Most of these jets turn to close. Check if you turn the nozzle. Hope it helps

Touch pads usually have three wires connected to a low water sensor (two wires) all running into a control box with a circuit board inside.
If you are in the tub and the tub is full of water and you then touch the 'pad' to turn the pump on and it doesn't turn on then the problem is most likely the box those wires and the pump plug into.
Get us that number off the box and we can solve this for you.

any plumbing suply house would have it. good luck

whirlpool tub has jets that circulate the water, where an air bath uses bubbles that rise gently from the bottom of the tub. Whirlpools are typically used for therapy, air baths are used for a much gentler experience. Air baths can be used with aromatherapy/essential oils. Both offer a spa-like experience.