If all three phases are actually shorted to the case, then they are also shorted to each other, and that could cause significant drag.APL said:OK. so then I finally checked for a short to the case, and sure enough ,.. it was shorted on all three.
But it is probably only one of them, and the other shorts are thru the WYE connection point. (or delta if that's how you ahve it wired, I forget).
Disconnect *just* the point all phases connect to each other, then remeasure and you'll find which phase it is.
THen you can "break" that phase in half at one of the coils, and recheck.
Whichever half is still shorted, break taht in half, etc etc. andyou'll find which coil it is, to fix it.