Live well problem. Need help

[Geoff S]

I have a 1983 Ranger 375 and I can't seem to get the live wells to work. I can push and pull the 2 handles under the throttle which are supposed to open and close the live wells to fill them up. When I open them they don't fill up. Is there anywhere I can get an owners manual or the schematics of the plumbing or anything to help me fix this issue?? I don't think it will be a hard fix I just don't know where to start!

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Live well problem. Need help

All the live wells I have dealt with use an electric pump to fill them (switch) and recirculate the water and a combination of overflow (limits max depth of water in the live well) plus a drain, both of which are gravity. Post a pic or two and I'm sure someone will either own what you have or be knowledgeable enough to steer you in the right direction.

 

[Geoff S]

Re: Live well problem. Need help

I thought it was an electric pump as well, but there is no on or off switch. There is just 2 plunger things that you just pull to close and push to open that is supposed to fill them. This makes me believe that they are just gravity fed, but i could be wrong. Thank you for your help. I will take some pics this weekend and upload them and see what other info I can get!

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Live well problem. Need help

I thought it was an electric pump as well, but there is no on or off switch. There is just 2 plunger things that you just pull to close and push to open that is supposed to fill them. This makes me believe that they are just gravity fed, but i could be wrong. Thank you for your help. I will take some pics this weekend and upload them and see what other info I can get!

I think you will find that the plungers are you livewell plugs. pull them up then fill the livewell with a hose and no water should come out the back of the boat. push them down and water should drain out of 2 holes near the main drain plug. (may be the other way around depending on the how it was installed) There should be 2 further holes with screens which are the live well pumps and they will only come on if the main switch is on and the fill switch is turned on (some switchs have fill-off-cycle but can be called front, rear, or a host of other names)

some boats use the same holes to fill and drain but thats normally on a more modern boat. look in the rear and look for the water lines as the pumps will be in the back near the transom.

 

[Geoff S]

Re: Live well problem. Need help

Thank you Glenn!! I appreciate your advise. My next day off I am going to go and work on it and check it out. I hope I can get it figured out.