bilge pump not turning on

[lukeb83]

hey guys, i just had a quick question about my bilge pump. when i flip the switch to turn it on, the switch lights up red and the pump doesnt turn on. when i turn on the blower it lights up red the same way but it turns on. there is no water in the bilge when i turn it on, i just wanted to test it. is that why its not turning on? bad fuse? any suggestions? thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: bilge pump not turning on

Break out the voltmeter and check for power at the pump. It may be the bearings have tightened up and the pump is stalled. Or it may be there is debris in the pump that has stalled the impeller. Or it may be the pump is simply "toast".

 

[Fireman431]

Re: bilge pump not turning on

+1

If the light is lit on the switch, that only indicates you have power going thru the switch. It doesn't mean that it's getting all the way to the pump. Could be a bad connection on the power or ground side, a broken/corroded wire, a bad pump, etc. Using a volt meter (or at minimum a test light) should tell you where your problem lies.