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Troubleshooting your GE water softener when the display won't light up

Lack of electrical power, a failed power transformer or a faulty timer can prevent the water softener display from lighting up.

Check the electrical outlet by unplugging the water softener and plugging a small lamp or appliance into the outlet to check for power. Reset the house circuit breaker for the outlet if the outlet is dead.

If the electrical outlet is okay, check the transformer wiring connections to the timer (with the transformer unplugged from the electrical outlet). Reconnect any loose wires. If the transformer wiring connections are okay, check the transformer's wires for damage and replace the transformer if you find wiring damage.

If the electrical outlet and transformer are both okay, then you'll likely need to replace the water softener timer because it's not lighting up the display.

How to fix your GE water treatment equipment when its flow meter isn't working

A broken water flow meter or faulty timer can prevent the display from showing water usage. Also, the water flow meter won't detect any water flow if the water treatment equipment is bypassed.

Check the bypass valve position first when the control isn't displaying water flow. Move the bypass valve to the service position to send water through the treatment equipment if you find the valve in the bypass position.

If the water treatment equipment isn't bypassed, then the water flow meter could be stuck or broken. Check water flow using the diagnostic test cycle as described in the owner's manual. If the water flow meter fails to detect water flow in the diagnostic test cycle, then the water flow meter's turbine could be jammed or broken. Unplug the water treatment equipment and shut off the water supply to the system. Pull off the bypass valve assembly to access the water flow meter turbine. Inspect the turbine and replace it if it's jammed or broken.

If the water flow meter turbine is okay, check the wire harness for damage between the flow meter's sensor and the timer and replace the wire harness if damaged.

If the flow meter's wire harness is okay, then a faulty flow meter sensor or a failed timer is preventing the display from showing water flow. There's no way to test the flow meter sensor so you won't be able to determine whether the sensor or the timer is at fault. Replace the sensor because it costs less than the timer. If the timer still doesn't detect water flow after replacing the flow meter sensor, replace the timer.