Introduction
If you have reached this page, you have undoubtedly been looking for a solution for the E02 error that is showing up on your pump/heater unit, AKA the egg, that is preventing you from relaxing in your hot tub right now. In this guide we'll go over the many things that cause this error to appear. We'll then show you what you need to do to fix it. Keep reading and we'll have your tub back up and running in no time.
Getting Prepared
For the procedures you will be doing in this article you will need some basic tools to perform the tasks. A phillips #2 and flat head screwdriver. For some things it may be easiest to have a cordless drill with a screwdiver attachment. A set of small pliers, both standard and needle nose may help for some things. 
A volt meter that can check continuity may also be needed. You should also have your black caps for your water ports handy as it may be necessary to disconnect the egg when the tub is filled. These prevent water from flowing out when the hoses are disconnected.
In the steps outlined here, there are many causes that can be fixed without the need to replace parts. Some of the solutions listed however will require replacing parts. The order in which we will cover the listed solutions is to cover the basics that don't require part replacements first to rule them out first. This will save you from purchasing parts you don't need and getting your tub back in order the cheapest way possible.
Whenever working on your egg, be sure to unplug the power cord from the mains line when doing any service. Only plug it in when told to do so. This is for your safety and to prevent further damage to your egg.
Part of being prepared is knowing what you are dealing with. So what does the E02 error actually mean. The E02 error simply means that the egg is not sensing proper water flow through the water's path. A number of things can cause this. Let's go through them now. We'll start with the easy ones first. After each one of these procedures, plug in the egg and give it a test run.
First Things First
Let's start with the simple and most obvious things to get them out of the way. If you try to start your water pump with no water in the tub or with the water level below the filter inlets, you will get this error. This only makes sense since the E02 error indicates a problem with water flow. If there is no water there, it cannot flow. As long as the water is above the two filter inlet pipes and at least half way to the outlet pipe, you should be able to get water to flow. It is best though to have the water above the outlet pipe. WIth that out of the way, lets get into the other causes of this error.
Dirty Filters
Believe it or not, your filters being dirty can actually cause this error. A buildup of dirt and other things on the filters can slow the flow of water through the system. If the water slows enough, the water flow sensor paddle will not move enough to trigger the sensor to tell the system that water is in fact moving. One EASY way to tell if this is your issue is to remove the filter housings and start your pump. If it runs and doesn't give you the E02 error, this is your problem. Simply hosing off the dirt and junk from the filters can restore the water flow to a normal level. If the filters are too dirty, they may require replacing.
Clogged Debris FIlter
Another thing that can restrict water flow is a dirt and junk buildup in the debris filter that is on the output side of the pump directly above one of the filter housings. On some models it is the piece that your ChemConnect attaches to. Remove this piece and look inside. If you see a bunch of junk in there, it is probably restricting the water flow enough to cause the error. The easiest way to clen this is to back flush this with your garden hose. In some cases you may need a brush to get it clean. Then re-attach it to the liner.
Dirt Buildup on the Flow Sensor Paddle
Sometimes, depending on conditions, the water flow sensor paddle can get a buildup of dirt and debris on it that will prevent it from moving to the correct position when water is flowing. This paddle is supposed to lift up and trigger a sensor to tell the system that water is moving when the pump is turned on. Start by putting your black stoppers on all of your debris screens inside the tub and disconnect the egg. This requires you to remove both filter housings to put these stoppers on. Look inside the top hose connector and you should see the flow sensor paddle hanging down. If you can see dirt and debris around that you need to clean it. 
First, flush water through the egg in both directions to help loosen and remove any other debris that may be hanging around inside. To do this , run your hose into the top port on your egg for one to two minutes as seen in the picture. Then switch the hose to the port just below that one and do the same thing from that end. Now look inside the top port again and see if the debris has cleared. Once flushed, re-attach the egg to the tub and re-test. Remember to remove the black stoppers from the ports inside the tub. Forgetting this will DEFINITELY cause an E02 error.
Crushed or Kinked Inlet/Outlet Pipe
A crushed or kinked inlet or outlet pipe can be caused from different things. One reason could be that your liner is low on air. The main reason for this is usually due to a kink in one of the hoses that goes through the liner from the egg because of a sag in the liner. The loss of air will allow the hose to bend which will restrict the water flow. Simply fill your liner with air can straighten the pipes out and if that was the issue you should be good. Other things such as pipes going soft over time can cause this. Another option to solve this would be to get a short piece of rigid pipe to fit inside this pipe to keep it from collapsing. This may be helpful to do to both the top and bottom water pipes.the pipe should fit inside the gray end and be long enough to go through the liner but not come out the other side. This length can be different depending on your tub model.
Limescale Buildup
If you live in an area with hard water you are no stranger to limescale. A limescale buildup on things can cause a number of different issues.
If you cleaned out your debris filter in the previous steps and found white flaky bits in it, you most likely have a limescale problem. These bits can get on and into various things and cause problems. The image to the right, thanks to Dean Masters from the UK, is a heater unit that is caked with limescale. You can see how this could easily restrict water flow. One this bad in addition to restricting water flow can also trip the electrical line or the GFCI plug to your tub, which was the problem Dean was having. You may have heard of people talking about descaling their egg.
A simple descaler can be seen to the left. The square tube with connectors is attached to the pump inlet and outlet and filled with cold water just a bit above the top tube. You will then need some sort of descaling solution. These can come in powder or liquid form. A common brand is made by a company called Oust and is designed to clean coffee kettles, irons and dishwashers. Some other brands are lime-away and CLR. Putting a good bit of this solution in the descaler and turning the pump and heater on for 15 to 30 minutes will break up and disolve the limescale buildup and get you back running quickly. If you are getting the E02 error immediately after turning on the pump, you may want to let this descaling solution sit for about an hour to see if it breaks up a little bit of the lime to get things flowing. Once it is flowing and you can turn the pump on, let it run for the 15 to 30 minutes and you should be set. If you live in an area of hard water you should do this a couple times per year to prevent these problems.
Broken, Stuck or Damaged Impeller or Impeller Shaft
The impeller is the part of the pump that actually makes the water move. The motor spins this and the paddles push the water. There are a number of things that can fail with regards to the impeller, one being the impeller shaft. The impeller shaft in the image to the right is the pin that goes through the center of the impeller with the two small black caps on it. Many of the impellers used in the egg have an impeller shaft that is made of ceramic. These shafts have been known to break on occasion. When this breaks, the impeller will not spin freely and can lead to a decrease or complete stop of the water flow. If the impeller is moving with a broken shaft the egg can be very noisy and making a rattling sound.
Another thing with the impeller can be a rusty or damaged magnet. To the left is an example of a rusty impeller magnet. When a magnet gets rusty, it gets weaker. When the magnet gets weaker it cannot spin as efficiently, or at all. In this case you will need to replace the impeller. Some of these have the magnet encased in plastic like the one to the left, and some have the magnet exposed like the one shown above. Replacemtns can be found on ebay, amazon and other online stores such as headseal.com. Some of these kits will also include the rubber o-ring seals. If you are taking your pump apart, why not replace them. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Damaged Water Flow Sensor
These pumps are equiped with a water flow sensor to tell the pump that water is actually moving through the system. The water flow sensor is a tube that has a small paddle that contains a small magnet that hangs in the water's path, and when water flows through the tube, the paddle is pushed upwards causing the magnet to trigger a magnetic switch. When the switch is triggered, it indicates that water is flowing. The way the system works with this sensor can trigger not only the E02 error, but it can also trigger an E01 error.
We'll start with the E01 error. When the pump is turned on, it immediately checks this sensor for a split second looking to see that it is not triggered before turning on the pump. If the system sees that the flow sensor is triggered immediately upon startup, it assumes that the paddle is stuck in the up position. With the paddle stuck in the up position, the system assumes that it cannot accurately detect water flow and will display an E01 error. If this is the case, sometimes a quick smack, not too hard, to the side of the pump will get the paddle to drop into the normal position. Another thing that can cause this is debris being stuck in the sensor, but if you did the flush in the earlier steps, this should not be an issue.
Now back to the original E02 issue. 
There are a few things that can cause the sensor to not trigger the magnetic switch. One of the main causes of this is broken plastic around the magnet that causes the magnet to get wet and rust. As a magnet gets rusty, it gets weaker and if it gets weak enough, it can't trigger the sensor mounted at the top. If this is the case, the paddle will need to be replaced. You will need to remove the cover to access the sensor. 
Start by putting your black stoppers on the inlet and outlet ports on the inside of the tub and disconnect the pump from the tub. Once disconnected, remove the screws on the lip about half way up the pump. Slowly lift the cover off, but watch for the ribbon cable that is attached. You may be able to just set the lid aside with the ribbon cable attached. If you need to disconnect it for any reason, grab the black connector on the sides and squeeze it, then pull the connector apart. 
Once the lid is off, look just behind the top outlet pipe and you will see the water flow sensor. 
Remove the four screws on the top of the sensor and lift the top off being careful of the sensor wire that is connected to it and the rubber o-ring seal under the lid. There will be a pin through the side that holds the paddle in place. Push that pin from the side being careful not to break it, and pull it out. Install the new paddle and replace the pin. Move the paddle back and forth to ensure that it moves freely. Now inspect the o-ring seal to see if it is damaged or looks worn. If so, it is best to replace it. I sell kits that come with the paddle and seal in one package. I also sell just the paddle separately. Click here to see my store for both. Once you have the paddle replaced and the o-ring inspected/replaced, re-assemble the flow sensor being careful not to knock the o-ring out of place and screw it back together. DO NOT overtighten the screws as you may damage the housing which will cause the seal to be weak and leak over time. Replace the cover being sure to connect the ribbon cable if you had it disconnected. Then re-connect the pump to your tub and give it a test. You should be back running.
Conclusion
By following these steps you should have been able to resolve any issue that would cause an E02 error. I hope thisarticle helped you and got you back to tubbing again. If you find any errors or just have questions, you can contact me here. Happy tubbing to all.
So, I’ve got a strange 02 error.
Observations:
– Flow is fine with pump on. No obstructions or odd sounds from clogged lines/damage
– The GFCI is tripping randomly. Sometimes on power, sometimes the pump will run for 10 seconds, sometimes 5 minutes. GFCI plug replaced, no change
– Air blower runs fine.
– The pump now uses almost 300w of power, then the GFCI trips (previously 20w). This is the strangest one.
Ever seen this one?
Cory,
It sounds almost like your heater is starting to go bad. The internal wiing inside the heater is probablu starting to short out and thus the reason for the 300W draw. I am not sure where to get the heater units for these, but if you let me know where you live I may be able to point you to someone that may know.
Dan,
Hmm, but the 300w draw happens even w/o the heater being triggered.
I did some further observations. Once the GFCI gets tripped from the pump being on. There is a cool down period, meaning: I can reset the gfci and it will instantly trip.. this is true for a minute or two then it will stick on.
I’m almost wondering if i’ve got a partially shorted power lead to the pump unit itself. Causing high draw when current is present.. and if it heats up with current it will trip the GFCI as a short.
I’ve never gotten that far into the unit. I can take off the upper half of the “egg” to get to all blower/heater/PDUnit(my term) but the pump seems to be below the tray. Is that accurate?
thanks!
P.S. I also have a really nifty mod you’ve probably be interested in. I don’t think anyone else has done this. I was able to get full automation control over the touch buttons. I can use my home automation in Home Assistant that I wrote for full control over the egg. Happy to share the simple mod.
The partially shorted power lead is a possibility. You may also want to check the 12v power supply in it. It will be the black cube mounted to the right of the water flow sensor recessed into the platform that things are mounted on. I never got that far into my pump either, so I am not sure what you’d be in for, but judging from the fact that you have apparently modded the thing already, I am guessing that you are no stranger to diiging in to something like this.
And now on to this hack…TOTALLY INTERESTED. I too have an automation setup with a Vera home controller and a number of nodes that I built myself a number of years ago under the MySensors project (https://mysensors.org). dbemowsk (at) phpwebscripting.com if you don’t want to post it in the comments.
Just to close out my issue:
Turns out the pump unit in mine was cracked. It was shorting out inside the sealed pump unit. Not leaking water, but somehow shorting out. Here’s how I fixed it:
I remove the impeller and everything from the pump. Resealed it up with new gaskets. So now it’s just flow-through. Then I disconnected the power lines going to the bus bar and the control board.
I then purchased an external bestway 1000gph pool pump unit. I wired the appropriate connections to the egg control unit and to the bus bar (gnd). Routed the power cable out and then hooked the new water lines up from the tub to the new pump and then into the egg.
Voila! I’ve got an externally pumped tub with better flow rate/heating an extra filter and it’s still controlled by the egg.
Can you order just a whole new pump
I am having an e02 issue with mine. Looks like the housing that holds the impeller has a small crack. E02 comes on immediately no sounds from the pump. Heat is working fine. Is there a replacement pump available? I see whole eggs put of stock but really think I just need pump.
Where can I get a replacement egg.Thank you Al
I was having the same issue, pump circulating, but not heating, temp was slowly going down. then i messed with it, and now e02 comes on quickly, so I had to drain it, cause it gets down in the teens at night.
I live in Colorado, and I think its the heater box. any thoughts on where to get one? my tub is the square one with a cube style control box instead of the Egg shaped one. Still says Bestway on all the parts inside.
thanks, Tom 719-924-0501
grrrr.. yeah i’ll have to dig into it with a multimeter. I guess that means I can’t just disconnect the heater and bypass it. I don’t really need the heater in my setup (see my email). But the pump is very useful to me.
Hi. I have a question.
I have a Bestway/Lay-Z spa with “the egg” and i get an E02.
I have checked all lines/tubes and they are not clogged. I have checked heater, and it is not clogged. I have measured both waterflow sensors, and they register when the flap is pushed up. I have just replaced the waterpump with a used one, and still no luck.
I have measured voltage in the powersupply to the pump to 12v.
I have cleaned and flushed all tubes and openings in the spa.
And still i get the E02. What to do? Is it to replace both the waterflow sensors? They do not look worn and almost as new and as mentioned i can measure when the magnets activate.
I am totally lost here….. What is the next step?
When you push the filter button, do you hear the pump run for a couple seconds before getting the E02 error? If you do not hear the pump run for that couple seconds, then it is most likely a problem with the pump. You say that you replaced the water pump with a used one. Are you sure the used one was good? I have heard of people that have put the wrong impellers in the pumps claiming that they just replaced the impeller, only to find that the one they put in was too small or something and the impeller could not spin properly. The E02 error is all about water flow.
So mine is the newer model, not the egg, but still having E02 errors.
We use ours inside, clean and change the filter weekly/weekly, and whenever I put a new filter on it will run fine for a few day’s heating it, then when I go to get in, bam, The error code.
When I take off the filter (Brand new from plastic mind you) it runs fine, Filter and housing on, error…. This is perplexing to say the least as we’ve had this up and running for about 7 month’s now, and it’s indoors.
Any ideas?
I think you might have a partial obstruction in there. Check that the washers are seated correctly on all the In / Out ports. Sounds like just enough that once there is a minor flow issue with a dirty filter, it trips the flow sensor.
After that, Try the flush with high(er) powered hose water. Flush both ways (In the Out, and In the In ports)
Third, I’d check your filter housing. Is it permitting enough water to enter? Maybe there is a mfg defect that is preventing enough flow to the filter port of the tub. These pumps are…. anemic to say the least. They can’t pull much water on their own. One way to check is to plug one of the ports and disconnect the pump unit. Let the water flow out from the outside of the lower Tub-Out port. Does it flow out well? Remember there is 2 1/2 feet of water pressure above that port so it should rush out really well. Test both, maybe the tube is twisted or obstructed or kinked inside the liner? The tubing they use is cheap and prone to kinking especially with heated water.
Mine runs for a couple seconds then shuts off what is it? I took off the pump housing the impeller has a slight orange tint to it but that’s it. At first it wasn’t doing anything at all, then once I took apart the pump and put it back together I got it to run for a couple seconds then bam E02. Is it the I’mpeller?
I have only had my lazy spa for 2-3 months, I keep getting the E02 but only when the bubbles are on, I’ve tried pretty much everything and no luck
I have the lazy spa moldives, it runs fine untill i put the heater on and filter then i get e02 error code.
Instantly? or does it take a few seconds to trip? 5-10 seconds..
I have a few hot tubs I rent out at the weekends, the hardwater was an absolute nightmare when I started out, I bought a descaler from easytubs.co.uk and its the best device I have bought, I descale the tubs once a month for a few minutes and it keeps the E02 error at bay.
Im having the same issue as Simon. When I turn heater on, E02 error right away, within 2 seconds. Pump runs fine. Cleaned egg ports. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
I too was having Error code E02 when i would turn air on for spa
I found that by loosening the filter about 1 1/2 Turns that
i no longer have an issue , not sure if this will work for all but it did for me
i have the same E02 code once i plug the pump in the GFCI plug trips instantly. i am leaving it off over night hoping that it is just overheated. we usually leave it on all the time. haven’t figured out the heating yet.
your website has been extremely helpful troubleshooting my hot tub issues. thanks for what you do
I used my lazy spa for about 9 months. Always inside my shed. I changed and cleaned the filters after every use without fail.
In aug 2021 I emptied the tub and cleaned it as well as rinsing out the egg. I left it empty until dec 2021 and then filled the tun which is when I got the error. E2
I have checked for kinked hoses plugged lines. All looks good. Any ideas ?
Daniel
Very Helpful! Thanks!!!!
I’ve tried everything for that E02 code and I still have problem with it. If anyone has any ideas please email me or call at [email protected] I don’t know what else to do with it please help thank you I’m Willie
I have the cinched tube issue. Any idea what size rigid pipe do you know?
I found pieces of a ~3/4″ Dia O-ring in the float sensor and another in the pump impeller. Do you have any idea where they might have come from? I no longer get the E02 error code once I removed those pieces of debris
Hi Dan, I ordered one of your replacement water sensor paddles and it works great! Love that it included the pin, as mine was toast.
Replacing the paddle fixed my problem for a while but once again, the E02 error is back. The unit turns on and the pump runs fine, no errors or excessive noise. When I turn on the heater, the E02 error happens about 2 minutes later. I’m totally stumped.
(I’ve checked lines for kinks, they’re fine. The error happens with and without the filter installed. No obstruction in outlet port. Gasket on water sensor housing is new and not leaking. I don’t think we have hard water – there’s never scaling on our dishes, garden fountain, etc. What am I missing?)
I’m having the same problem … did this ever get resolved?
I’ve appreciate the knowledge here. I bought a Saluspa Miami in September 2020. Got the dreaded E02 error. Read your blog. Flushing vents did the job. Worked great…until a few weeks ago. E02 comes up as soon as push pump. Airjets work fine.
Filters clean. Opened up and checked magnet flow disk. It looks okay. Bit of black sediment collected on it. I’m ordering it today. Thank you!
How do I remove the debris filter? I’ve tried with a twisting motion but nothing happens.
I have a saluspa model # 100105 when turning on the pump nothing happens. It’s then followed by the EO2 error. Of course, that indicates a water flow issue with the pump not coming on I can only assume the pump is the problem?
Thank you. Still not sure what was wrong, topped up the air in the tub and rinsed out the pump/egg itself but didn’t see anything come out. So either a kink or maybe the flow sensor was stuck for some reason.
hello dan, i reached out to you ask you a question , my Eo2 error code came up . I replaced the impeller on the the pump and it runs as before. About 3or so seconds then shuts off . does mean the pump is bad , i checked the heat sensor and its not dirty or clogged and moves fine. im at a loss can you help me
hello dan, i reached out to you ask you a question , my Eo2 error code came up . I replaced the impeller on the the pump and it runs as before. About 3or so seconds then shuts off . does mean the pump is bad , i checked the heat sensor and its not dirty or clogged and moves fine. im at a loss can you help me
Hi Dan, I have a newer model than the “egg” and have an E02 code showing after I emptied and cleaned the tub and unit.
The pump does not seem to turn on now quickly followed by E02 code.
I have backflushed the system a few times to make sure water is flowing, so I gather it’s a pump issue.
When inflating the lid I did by accident turn on the pump without water in it. I quickly turned it off so it ran for 3 seconds maybe 4 without water. would that wreak the pump?
any help will be appreciated
I have the Coleman Saluspa and was getting a error code and would change the filter and it would be fine. I noticed that the water flow not has strong. Got into last night and the bubbles were working and then I turned them off for a minute when I went to turn back on the would not come back on. Does this sound like a pump issue and is there two pumps one for air and one for water?
Hello everyone,
New owner of one of these spa tubs here! I’ve literally owned this for just over one week and I just started getting the E02 error out of nowhere. Everything is set up properly and my wife and I have used it for maybe 20-25 minutes each night. We’re in a completely renovated home and the plug it’s using is in an “all season” room that is specifically designed to house a hot tub, so I doubt it’s the power source. I’ll try everything that’s mentioned above like changing the filter and checking for debris, etc. But I’m still within the return window, so there’s always that option! I really don’t want to do that, but I’m also not super handy when it comes to taking things apart.
Haa!! I pulled the filter out and sure enough it was all gunked up with hair and looked brown. What’s crazy is that my wife and I shower BEFORE we get in the tub and she puts her hair up in a bun, yet there was still hair in it!
Did you get yours fixed? I have the same story with mine! New, used twice.
Replacing our filter fixed the issue. It popped up two more times after that and both times we either cleaned the filter or replaced it entirely and that fixed it.
E02 Error occurs only when we run the air jet. Otherwise it runs fine. Any ideas
Ok, so from the first comment from Cory…. He deduced that it was his pump. It was in our case as well. I had an additional unit from my sister within warranty where she got hers replaced. Not the same unit, but apparently the pumps are the same because I replaced mine with hers and my unit is back up and running properly. One has to get into the bottom to get to it. Someone needs to post a pic of the actual pump because it’s not what you would think it is. I just don’t know how to post pics to this format. Best advice is to take pics all the way through. Especially of the motherboard!!! All that E02 then E01 then the GFI going off as soon as the filter goes on…..that’s a crack of some sort in the pump!
Dan sent me a new water flow sensor, pin, and gasket and it arrived quickly. I replaced the parts and gasket and everything is working properly. Thank you for your site with so much useful information!
Hello,
I have a new (less than a month’s use) Coleman Saluspa. I have been getting the E02 error on and off since the first week in use. I have changed the filter twice already, which seems to help for a few days then E02 again.
Clue :
I noticed that even with a brand new filter in place that the water flow returning to the tub was very low pressure – remember this is a brand new unit and so far I have only installed the 2 filters that came new with the unit. So just for testing I have been running it the past couple of days with no filter at all and it is running great. Great return water pressure, and no E02 errors. Now of course I know that I cannot run it without a filter indefinitely – but that leads to my question….
Question:
Does anyone know of a filter that will fit into these hot tubs that has a filtering screen that is not so tightly woven – and therefore not as restrictive of the water flow?
Losened the filter housing a half turn and this seems to have fixed my issue thank you
Hey Dan
I started getting an e02. Then I reset the whole thing and when I stick my hand in the water I felt what I thought was a current so I immediately unplugged everything. Then I plugged it all back in and turned on the GFI. It didn’t trip so I turned on the unit. It came up but when I tried to turn on the pump, regardless of the temp, the unit paused for 2-3 seconds then immediately went into e02. The pump didn’t try to start.
So might I be correct in a bad pump diagnosis? The water is not even getting to the sensor to cause that to indicate an e02. Pump won’t initiate so something inside it must be shorted?
Thanks for your thoughts, if it’s the pump, please point me at the right part in your store and I’ll order right away. My unit is an s100105
Thanks!
This hot tub is shit. It gives nothing but problems. We bought this for mom on Christmas, and it’s only been 2 months and broke down. It won’t start if it’s too cold either. Who makes a hot tub that can’t be used in cold weather? You know, the time people want to use a hot tub? We couldn’t even start it during January. So guess how many times she’s been able to use it since? 3 times.
Now it’s broken, or something is wrong with it? We have to drain the water, dismantle it, and try to figure out if all we had to do was replace a tiny plastic fan? This isn’t worth the trouble.
If you’re reading this, don’t buy it. These Lay-Z-Spas are made by lazy people who didn’t bother to make a product people could even use.
I’ve got a kinked outlet hose from the heater to the spa.
I’ve tried boiling water and it will temporarily move back to almost a full circle but then gradually collapse on itself.
I see your point about putting a pipe inside to keep it straight, what size pipe should I use?
I believe the spa is 1″ Inner diameter? What size do you recommend to keep it from collapsing on itself?