Bilge Pump not operating

[PuffinStuff]

Hi there,

Our AFT bilge pump is not pumping or making any sound at all when we flip the pump switch. The red bilge light at helm control is on. I've read through the manual and some of the topics relating to this on tugnuts. I've been told to try to run water into the bilge to see if it triggers the pump but my guess is it's probably a blown fuse? if so, where is the fuse located? Any info on fixing this would help me tremendously.

Thanks in advance!

Tanya Foster
Puffin R-29

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hi there,

Our AFT bilge pump is not pumping or making any sound at all when we flip the pump switch. The red bilge light at helm control is on. I've read through the manual and some of the topics relating to this on tugnuts. I've been told to try to run water into the bilge to see if it triggers the pump but my guess is it's probably a blown fuse? if so, where is the fuse located? Any info on fixing this would help me tremendously.

Thanks in advance!

Tanya Foster
Puffin R-29

Hello Tanya,

There are TWO fuses to check. There is a tubular glass fuse next to the rocker switch; since the red light comes on that is problably ok. The second fuse will be an in-line spade type fuse connected directly to one of your batteries; it provides electricity to the pump when the float switch detects enough water to turn it on (the "auto" function). Usually it is a brown wire. As long as the glass fuze at the switch is OK, the pump should come on when switched on manually (i.e., with the switch) EVEN IF the inline spade fuse is blown in which case your float switch or shorted wiring elsewhere may be the culprit. In any event, you need to get down in the bilge and trace those wires so you know what goes where.

Good luck,

/david

 

[PuffinStuff]

Thanks, David. We will check and trace the wires this week.
Forgive my ignorance but is the tubular glass fuse (next to the rocker switch) located behind the main switch panel when you first enter the cabin? If so, how do you remove that panel and access the fuses?

Tanya

 

[daviduphoff]

If the light is on at the helm switch chances are the light is being backfed by the power from the float switch as long as the helm switch is in the off position. This would lead one to believe the fuse at the battery is good. The helm switch and the float switch wires should both run to the pump.

I believe and electrical test probe is in order. Any auto parts store should have one for under $10.00. Hook the alligator clip to the negative terminal of the battery or another good ground. Then "probe" the wires that leave the pump as close as you can get to the pump. Try to probe the wire before it gets to any electrical connector and then after. The wire that leaves the pump should be red. There could be corrosion inside the connector so check both sides. You might be able to get the probe inside the connector so you don't have to shove it through the insulation. If it lights up you have power to the pump.

in the winter the hose that leaves my bilge pump and goes to the through hull can freeze and nothing comes out. It might be too warm for this right now so chances are as long as you have power you have a bad pump.

 

[PuffinStuff]

Today we pumped the blige manually and the light went off. We flushed it with some fresh water and again the water sensor went off (light at helm). We pumped it out and cleaned up the area and the light again went off, so it appear the water sensor is working fine. I checked the fuse and it was intact. I removed the actual pump and cleaned it off. The two wires at the top are protected by a rubber cap/nipple that I (mistakenly) removed - with pliers. No putting that back, so I'm heading down to purchase a new 1000 gpm Johnson pump. I'll connect the wires at the nearest junction and crimp them, hoping this corrects the problem. If not, I'm guessing it is a broken connection or corrosion somewhere in the wire connecting the switch and the actual pump, correct?

New boatowners finding their way.

Thanks for the advice and we'll keep you updated on progress.

Paul and Tanya.

 

[PuffinStuff]

Well, a simple fix in the end. The small impeller on the 1000 gph pump was broken off of the old bilge, so just went down to our local marine store, got another and connected the wires with some butt fasteners and a heat shrink wrap...bingo. We're back in business.

Thanks for the responses! We're learning as we go. Checked the fuses with a volt meter (good), check the pump (not good!). Next step would have been checking the wire connecting the battery and pump and the fuse and battery. Luckily didn't have to go there.

On to the next task!

Paul and Tanya