[Shop-talk] sigh...now the pool PUMP is out

[Randall]

Depending on the motor type, it will have either starting contacts inside or
a starting capacitor.  Whichever it has is bad ... from your description I
would guess it's a capacitor start and the capacitor has lost its capacity
<G>
Remove it, read the ratings, buy a similar one, put the new one in.  Then
find the overload button on the motor and push it back in.

Or get on the web and look for a replacement motor.  They are fairly
standard, and the motor alone should cost a lot less than $600.  

For that matter, I've been looking at entire pumps for a lot less than $600.
For example, here's a 2hp for under $350:
http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/pool_pumps.htm

-- Randall