A hot plastic or hot rubber smell from a walk-in tub usually points to an electrical short in the control box or in one of the pumps, and switching off the breaker was the right thing to do. Once someone is with you, the way to find the faulty part is to restore power, run a cycle while watching for the smell, and then plug the pumps into the control box one at a time to see which one brings the smell back. When the component is identified and verified, the replacement ships under the parts warranty and a local licensed electrician or plumber fits it.

Why the Smell Happens

The hydro pump, the air blower and the control box are the parts of the tub that carry enough current to overheat. A short in a pump or in the control box warms up quickly and gives off that hot plastic odor. Jets that cut out and restart on their own just before the smell are another sign that something electrical is struggling, and any unusual behavior is worth noting for the team. The smell can appear during a bath or during the monthly vinegar flush, because in both cases the pumps are simply running.

Isolate the Faulty Component

Do this with a second person present and stay within reach of the breaker.

1. Turn the breaker back on and confirm the tub has power.
2. Fill the tub above the jets and run a normal cycle. Note any burning smell, jets that stop and restart, or a pump that sounds different from usual.
3. Switch the tub off, open the access panel beside the door and locate the control box with the pump plugs.
4. Unplug the pumps from the control box, then plug in one pump only and run it.
5. If the smell returns, that pump is the fault. If not, unplug it and try the next one.
6. If no pump produces the smell on its own, the control box itself is the likely source.
7. Switch the breaker off again as soon as you have your answer.

While the panel is open, photograph the control box and the label on each pump. Those photos, with your model and serial number, are what the team needs to confirm the part.

If the Tub Smoked and No Longer Runs

Leave the breaker off and do not repeat the test. A pump that visibly smoked and then went dead has already identified itself. Open a ticket with your model and serial number, the photos and a description of what happened. A motor smell noticed during the installer's first test fill should be reported the same way before the tub goes into regular use.

What Happens Next

Once the faulty pump or control box is confirmed, the replacement ships under the lifetime parts warranty for the original owner. Ella does not send technicians. A local licensed electrician or plumber swaps the part, and technical support answers their questions by phone and video. If the tub simply went dead with no smell, start with nothing works after a storm or power outage. If what you noticed was a buzz or hiss without any smell, see why the tub makes a buzzing or hissing noise, and for any other symptom use the troubleshooting symptom index.

Related Guides

• Breaker or GFCI Keeps Tripping: Circuit Sizing, Component Loads, and When to Stop Using the Tub
• Blue Control Box Has No Power Light, or the Air Pump Runs Constantly: Diagnosis, Replacement and Returning the Old Box
• Hydro Pump Not Pushing Water: How a Replacement Water Pump Is Matched and Shipped

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.