Rebuilding the Fleck 5600,
Stuck Valve

It is very common for the main and brine pistons of the Fleck 5600 to need replacement after 5 - 10 years of use. The valve will get stuck trying to complete a regeneration cycle. Very often this occurs at the beginning of the "brine rinse" cycle. The timer motor may stop at this point also. The motors are made to stop instead of forcing the valve ( which would result in gear damage ).

The solution is to replace the main piston ( # 60102-00 for water softeners ) and the brine valve piston assembly ( # 60032 ). If the valve is on a chlorinated water source or over 10 years old, it is recommended to replace the main piston seals ( # 60125 ) at the same time.
On rare occasions the timer motor may also need to be replaced. But try the pistons replacement first, this usually does the trick. 
( Pistons & Seals Set = 60102-00, 60125, 60032 as part # 56PSkit )

Replacing the Main & Brine Valve Pistons and Seals is easy.

1. Put valve on By Pass, or turn water off

2. Manually put the valve in "backwash" to relief pressure

3. Remove the screw in the center of the main piston and the 2 on either side of it

4. Slide the Power head forward and up to remove

5. Remove the 3 screws holding the metal plate to the valve body

6. Pull out both piston assemblies and the main piston seals & spacers.

7. Put new seals & spacers in place and insert new piston assemblies.

8.  Reassemble. No special alignment is required.
   NOTE: The metal plate will stick up about 1/4" and you will need to put in the 3 screws to tighten the plate down, and compress the Seals, until it's flush with the valve body.
   This is normal.

NOTE: It is much easier to replace the brine valve piston assembly this way, then how the service manual explains it ( Service Instructions # A. ). Also, you can  replace the o-rings on the Injector Drain Module, as the manual recommends. We do sell them all, if you need them ( 13303, (2) 13301, 12683 ) individually OR order as a SET part # 56IDMO .

HOW TO REPLACE VIDEO = Replacing Pistons and Seals in Fleck 5600

And other less common reasons that it might be "binding", or still getting stuck after replacing the Piston and Seals. see our Knowledge Base entry: Still Getting Stuck after Rebuild