Frustrating Sun joe Pressure Washer Not Turning On

Last Saturday was the perfect day to wash my deck. The sun was out and my coffee was hot. I dragged my Sun Joe out of the shed. I hooked up the hose and flipped the switch. Nothing happened. No hum and no buzz. Just total silence. It is a very bad feeling when you are ready to work. I have tested many tools for this blog. Even for me, a dead tool makes me sigh.

But a Sun Joe pressure washer not turning on is rarely a sign of a dead motor. These machines have many safety parts. They are built to stop if things are not perfect. I spent an hour looking at my unit. I found the fix. If yours is acting up, do not throw it away yet. Here is my guide based on my own trial and error.

Check the GFCI Plug First

The very first thing I did was look at the power cord. Most Sun Joe models have a large box on the end of the plug. This is a GFCI. Its job is to cut power if it senses a leak. This keeps you safe from shocks.

I noticed the small light on my plug was dark. That was my first clue. If that light is off, your machine has no juice. I pressed the reset button firmly. It made a loud click. Suddenly, the light was green and the power was back.

Power Supply Troubleshooting Data

If you use a cord, be careful. I once used a thin cord from my kitchen. The motor hummed but would not spin. Thin cords cannot carry enough power. This can melt the wires inside your washer. I always use a thick cord now. It saves the motor and my day.

Release the Trapped Air Pressure

After I fixed the plug, I flipped the switch again. Still nothing. This is where the Total Stop System (TSS) comes in. Sun Joe uses this to save power. The motor only runs when you pull the trigger. If air is trapped in the pump, it creates a lock. The sensor thinks the pressure is already at the limit. It keeps the motor off.

I felt the hose and it felt very stiff. I turned the power switch to the off position. I squeezed the trigger on the spray gun. A mix of air and water sputtered out like a cough. I held it for thirty seconds until the stream was steady.

Once the air was out, I kept the trigger pulled. I flipped the power switch to on. The motor roared to life. This “burping” process is the most common fix I share with others. It is a simple step that solves many silent motor issues.

Clean the Water Inlet Filter

If your motor runs but then cuts out, it might be starving for water. I noticed my flow was weak. I unscrewed the garden hose from the back of the unit. Inside the hole, there is a small plastic screen.

I pulled it out with my pliers. It was gross and full of sand. This filter is the only thing protecting your pump. If it is clogged, the pump works too hard. It gets hot and shuts down. I rinsed it under the sink and the flow doubled.

Heat and Performance Stats

Dealing With Thermal Overload

It was a hot day when I was working. After twenty minutes, the Sun Joe just quit. I checked the plug and it was still fine. I checked the water and it was still on.

I touched the plastic case of the motor. It felt very hot. Most Sun Joe units have a thermal switch. If the motor gets too hot, it cuts the power. This prevents a fire. I took this as a sign to go inside for a cold drink.

I let the machine sit in the shade for forty-five minutes. When I came back, I flipped the switch. It started right up. If your machine dies mid-job, stop. Do not keep flipping the switch. Give it a rest and let it cool.

Inspect the Spray Nozzle for Clogs

Sometimes the motor is fine but the machine won’t stay on. This happens when the tip is blocked. If water cannot get out, the pressure builds up too fast. The TSS sensor sees this and kills the motor to be safe.

I took the nozzle off the wand. I looked through the small hole. I could see a tiny grain of sand wedged in there. I used the small wire tool that comes with the Sun Joe. I poked the sand out and rinsed the nozzle well.

Nozzle Maintenance Steps

1. Turn off the power and the water.
2. Remove the nozzle from the quick-connect wand.
3. Insert the wire tool into the hole.
4. Shake out any debris and rinse.
5. Test the flow without the nozzle attached first.

Check for a Faulty Power Switch

If you have tried everything and the machine is still silent, it might be the switch. This is less common but it does happen. Inside the housing, there is a main power switch. Over time, water can get inside.

I opened my unit once to check this. I used a meter to test for power. If you are not comfortable with wires, do not do this. But if you see black marks, the switch is likely dead. You can find new switches online for a few dollars. It is much cheaper than buying a new machine.

Summary of the Fixes

Fixing a Sun Joe pressure washer not turning on is all about logic. Start at the wall and move toward the nozzle. Check the power first. Then check the water. Finally, check the pressure lock.

Most of the time, it is just a button that needs a push. Or it is a filter that needs a rinse. My deck is clean now. The Sun Joe survived another season. It just needed a little bit of care and some fresh water.

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