Safety First: Turn OFF power and allow the motor to cool completely before touching the housing.

Inspect ventilation: Ensure the Rheem pump motor has at least several inches of clearance on all sides. Remove leaves, dirt, and spider webs from the motor vents. Do not enclose the pump in an unventilated box.
Check the cooling fan: With power OFF, look through the rear motor cover and verify the plastic or metal fan is intact and spins with the shaft. If broken or missing, replace the motor or fan kit.
Verify system flow: Check that suction and return valves are fully open. Backwash or clean the pool filter to reduce system pressure. A highly restricted system can overload the motor.
Measure operating current: With a clamp meter and power ON, measure motor amperage and compare to the Rheem nameplate. If amps exceed rating with normal flow, the motor is failing and should be replaced.
Reset: After cooling and corrections, restore power. If E03 recurs quickly, contact a technician to evaluate motor and supply voltage.

Pump stops during operation and displays E03 indicating over‑temperature or thermal trip.

Possible Causes