Moen Arbor Motion sense Touchless Faucet How to & Troubleshooting Guide

moen touchless faucet how to and troubleshooting guide

Touchless faucets make it easier for you to use the kitchen or bathroom tap. Through the MotionSense technology, the faucet detects when you need to use the spout, turns it on and off after you finish. Since it’s a hands-free device, it protects you from germs or bacteria and your entire household.

The device conserves water as it closes the tap immediately compared to the seconds you take to turn the knob.  Saving on water also results in saving your money for bills. You can also access water at ease, place a cup under the tap or wave your hand to activate the sensor.

It’s impressive to have the faucet as it helps you carry your tasks effortlessly. But when it fails to operate, you may be wondering what next. Below is a troubleshooting guide to help you fix your faucet.

Why is My Moen Arbor Motionsense Touchless Faucet not Working?

If your Moen faucet stops working, there is no need to worry. There are troubleshooting tips you can try without calling a professional. Check if any of the following issues may be affecting your faucet and correct accordingly;

  • A newly installed faucet may fail to work. Check if you removed all the protective labels for it to sense.
  • Loose cables: may cause an error during operation.  Ensure your data cable and power source line are in good condition and plugged in securely.
  • Check the batteries: the batteries may be loose in the battery holder, or you may be using poor quality. Always make sure the batteries fit securely in their holders. Again, always go for alkaline batteries; lithium may not be the best.

How Do You Change the Battery in a Moen Touchless Faucet?

When you notice the blue LED light at the base of the faucet flash, it’s an indication that your batteries are low. So, how do you change the batteries?

  • Find the battery box under the sink and open it.
  • Remove the old batteries and replace them with new ones.
  • Ensure the batteries align well as per the negative and positive poles. Again, fit the battery securely in the battery house and close the box.  Make sure you put the battery cover correctly.
  • Finally, reset the faucet to check whether it’s working.

How to Adjust Sensitivity on My Moen Arbor MotionSense Touchless Faucet

The Moen faucet contains a level of technology that detects movement in two zones to activate water flow. For example, the Wave Sensor in your faucet can enable and disable the water flow through sensing hand movement. The Ready Sensor also detects an object under the spout like a cup, bowl, and hand.  The ready sensor will keep running the water and automatically turn it off when you remove the object.

To adjust the sensitivity;

  • Unplug the power line, then plug it back in.
  • Place your hand before the front sensor at your desired distance when it flashes blue. The water should flow.
  • Remove your hand and hold it over the top sensor until the water stops running.
  • Keep trying this procedure for a few rounds until you get the proper distance.

Why is My Moen Touchless Faucet Blinking?

Your Moen faucet has a blue LED that blinks to indicates something. The light flashes for two seconds when the electronic mode in your device is active. Unfortunately, the LED also blinks rapidly with low battery life, indicating it’s time to replace the batteries.

Moen MotionSense Faucet Low Flow Problem

When experiencing low flow with your faucet, first check the following;

  • Whether the water valves are fully open- your household water supply may be the issue. Locate valves under the sink and check they are turned on for the entire water supply to the faucet. Check if there are leaks on the valves and have them repaired.
  • Check the household pressure- inspect your primary water supply point at home and ensure the valves are on and there are no obstructions to the flow.

N/B: Running heavy appliances at homes such as washing machines and dishwashers simultaneously may reduce the overall flow at your faucet.

  • Dirty aerator screen – check the small disc at the faucet tip; it may be dirty. You can remove the aerator by twisting it counterclockwise. Rinse the screen with flowing water to remove any dirt particles. If this fails to work, you have to remove the faucet and the pipe from the wand. Rinse any dirt that is present between the screen and the wand.
  • Check the cartridge; there may be sediment present. If you find sediments, you need to replace the cartridge to restore the water flow. Later, flush and clean the valve system as a way of boosting water pressure in your faucet.

Moen MotionSense Faucet Dripping

If your Moen faucet drips water onto the sink, the O-rings at the appliance base are worn out. The cartridge may also be failing to seal out water due to damage. To fix the leaking issue, you need to disassemble the faucet and make repairs.

Items Required

  • Small Allen wrench
  • Pliers
  • Plumber’s grease
  • Hex Wrench
  • O-ring replacement
  • Moen cartridge replacement
  • Rug
  1. Turn off the water supply to ensure there is no wastage as you repair. Find the water valves under the sink and turn them counterclockwise to turn off the water. Later turn on the faucet to drain the water inside.
  2. Open the faucet using an Allen wrench. Insert the wrench in the area below the faucet handle and twist it counterclockwise to make it loose. Next, take out the cartridge tube.
  3. When you remove the upper part of the faucet, take out the nut to reveal the cartridge tube. Using the hex wrench, loosen the nut and take out the cartridge tube.
  4. Remove the crown carefully to avoid destroying it. Cover the section with a rug, then insert the pliers to loosen it. Use the rag to wipe the crown using some vinegar solution in case of any hard water deposits.
  5. Pull the water spout and remember to place a rug below the faucet to absorb water that’s trapped inside. Then, you can try twisting the fixture a bit to remove it.
  6. Replace the O-rings and bearings. First, take these parts and clean them with a vinegar solution. Then place both pieces where they should be and remember to cover them with grease.
  7. Put the spout back and the crown. The tap should twist left and right as a sign it’s well-fixed. Replace the crown too, and use a wrench to tighten it.
  8. Replace the upper bearing and nut. Ensure you place the bearing before the nut to prevent any other leaks.
  9. Restore the new cartridge, ensuring the nodes fits into the tiny holes correctly. After fitting the cartridge, use a hex wrench to fix the nut securely.
  10. Finally, replace the faucet handle. The handle should be open for it to fit into the cartridge’s head. Tighten the grip with the Allen wrench and put back the indicator.
  11. Test the faucet. Open the water and check for any leaks or wrong spout movement.

How to Reset an Arbor MotionSense Touchless Faucet

Though there are several models of Moen motion sense faucet, the instructions below are standard to all;

  • Find the control box under the sink; it’s either black or grey.
  • First, Detach the power source from the control box.
  • Next, disconnect the data line from the control box. Then, wait for like one minute for the faucet to reset.
  • Make sure nothing obstructs the faucet sensor
  • Later, plugin both the data and power cable.
  • Allow the faucet to cycle back for about 2 minutes. Blue light may blink twice, an indicator the tap is working.

How to Work Your Moen Arbor MotionSense Touchless Faucet on Manual Mode

You may want to change your faucet to manual mode when you have visitors unfamiliar with your kitchen or when doing the cleaning. To disable the ready and wave sensors, carry out the following;

  • First, disable the ready sensor. Turn on the water using the handle.
  • Place your hand above the ready and wave sensor for about 10 seconds.
  • The blue sensor will blink twice, at 5 and 10 seconds, indicating both sensors are disabled.
  • Turn off the water handle.
  • You have now successfully enabled the manual mode.

Check this too: How to Unclog an RV Toilet

How to Turn on the Sensors on Moen Faucet?

To enable the motion sensors on your faucet, follow these steps;

  • Turn on the water using the handle.
  • Place your hands over both sensors for 10 seconds.
  • Blue ready sensor flashes twice, meaning the sensors are active.
  • Turn off the water handle.