Fleck 5600SXT Softener Troubleshooting Videos
Your softener is not regenerating properly? It usually comes down to one of a few things: a brine valve problem, a plugged injector, a worn piston, or a float assembly in the brine tank that isn't doing its job. Work through these four checks in order. Each one has the manufacturer's own video.
Before opening the valve for any repair, depressurize it first: Depressurize a Fleck 5600 valve.
1. Make sure the meter is counting
Look at the display, then run water somewhere in the house. The gallon count on the screen should tick down while water is flowing. If it doesn't move, the paddle-wheel meter isn't registering and the unit never knows when to regenerate. Rule this out first.
Fleck 5600 Meter Repairs — Pentair Water University
2. Check the drain line
Make sure there is no kink, crush, or blockage anywhere in the drain line. A restricted drain will stop the unit from pulling brine.
Fleck 5600 Drain Hose — Pentair Water University
3. Pull the brine line and watch the cycles
Disconnect the line that runs from the valve to the brine tank, then start a manual regeneration and step through the cycles:
- During brine draw (BD on the display), put your finger over the fitting. You should feel a slight suction. No suction points to the injector or the brine valve.
- During brine fill (BF), water should come out of that fitting. If it doesn't, the brine valve or the fill path is the problem.
Fleck 5600 Injector Repairs — Pentair Water University
Fleck 5600 Brine Valve Repairs — Pentair Water University
4. Watch the piston
While it's in manual regeneration, watch that the piston moves and cycles through each position. A piston that sticks or doesn't travel means worn seals and spacers.
Fleck 5600 Control Valve Tear Down — Pentair Water University
Before any repair: depressurize the valve
Depressurize Fleck 5600 Valve — Pentair Water University
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Parts and replacement options
- Fleck 5600SXT valve rebuild kit — piston, seals and spacers, and brine valve. $124
- New Fleck 5600SXT metered control head. $349
- Complete Fleck 5600SXT water softener — 10x54 tank, 48,000 grain, our most common size. $949
Not a 5600SXT? General troubleshooting · Send us a photo of your valve and we'll point you to the right parts.