Bilge Pump Troubleshooting....Need an assist/help! No auto pump function!

[Ray Ray]

Can someone help me out please? I've noticed my Rule Mate 1500 bilge pump is not pumping/removing bilge water automatically as it should. It will work via the manual switch on my dash, but not automatically, regardless of the volume of water I physically pump in the bilge to test the unit.

This model has the internal float switch, so no separate float to clean or troubleshoot. I believe I've read somewhere that there is supposedly an in-line fuse to the supporting battery, but I can't find one to check so far, but then again, I really don't know where to look exactly. I've visually traced the wires from the unit to/thru the loom running the length of the center of the bilge, and then I get lost.

Is there someone out there in the CSR universe that can point me in the right direction, or is this unit simply in need of replacement :huh:?


Thanks in advance......

 

[JimG]

Sounds like the float switch has failed or there is some debris in there preventing it from working. At this point if you cant find a fuse, I would remove it and check it out with a 12VDC source.

 

[electricaldoctor]

Remove the pump and try to clean/dislodge the crud around your float switch and shake a bit it to see if you can get the float switch to activate the pump. It may just be a simple case of the inlets being blocked to the point that the water cannot get in to influence the float switch. If this does not work, I would open up the pump to check the electrical connections from the float switch.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Check for an inline fuse within about 12" of the battery. They're usually labelled.

This is an all-in-one "electronic" unit? They sense water between two electrodes built into the bottom of the unit.

 

[Ray Ray]

Responding to all,

Yes, this is one of the all in one electorinic sensing units, but I haven't tried opening it up to see if anything is stuck in there blocking of affecting the sensors so I'll do that. I'll also check for any fuses closer to the actual batteries. Up to this point, I've dislodged, cleaned, shaken and banged on it several times to no avail. I hope it's something simple like bilge goo stuck on or between some sensors.

I'll do some surgery and report back.

Thanks guys.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Could be the internal switch failed, or some debris got in there and blocked the impeller from spinning. As the above posts said, a bit of testing may reveal the issue. As Dennis said If there is an inline fuse, expect to find it close to the battery connection. I just re-read your first post, and you mentioned the pump runs with manual switch engaged. That would rule out debris jamming the impeller, puts my money on the failed internal switch.

 

[Ray Ray]

Could be the internal switch failed, or some debris got in there and blocked the impeller from spinning. As the above posts said, a bit of testing may reveal the issue. As Dennis said If there is an inline fuse, expect to find it close to the battery connection. I just re-read your first post, and you mentioned the pump runs with manual switch engaged. That would rule out debris jamming the impeller, puts my money on the failed internal switch.

That's what i'm thinking as well......My apologies to all for all the typos today (a pet peeve of mine), but I've been fat fingering my keyboard all day.

 

[ChrisJA]

Please can anyone help? I have a 1987 Sea Ray 340 Sedan Bridge and need to get access to the 3 Bilge pumps as one does not work at all on either manual or automatic switch settings the second bilge pump switch has come adrift of its mounting. Can anyone advise how I can access these bilge pumps.

 

[northshore]

Please can anyone help? I have a 1987 Sea Ray 340 Sedan Bridge and need to get access to the 3 Bilge pumps as one does not work at all on either manual or automatic switch settings the second bilge pump switch has come adrift of its mounting. Can anyone advise how I can access these bilge pumps.

You may wish to post that question here:
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/24518-The-big-old-80-s-340-owners-thread

If Rondds is still watching the thread, he might be able to help.