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Topic: Water Pump Not Pumping Water (Read 443 times) previous topic - next topic

Water Pump Not Pumping Water

About five months ago, after completing our Wintering in South Texas, I emptied my black and gray tanks, and added water to the water tank (but not filled to the top). Since then, Ducky has been setting on his pad, fat, dumb, and happy. Most of the water usage since then has been to make ice, which I move into our home.

The last couple of ice cube runs were smaller than normal, then it stopped making ice (Samsung 17.6 size).

A couple of days ago, I added water to the fresh water tank; probably 1/4 to 1/3 of the tank. (Yeah, Yeah, those SeeLevel gauges would work better if I took them out of their box.) The water pump had been on (for making ice), so I turned it off and turned the water fill switch on to add water. Afterwards, I turned the water fill switch off and turned the water pump back on. Went inside the coach and turned the sink faucet on, but no water coming out; same thing with the bathroom faucet.  I checked the manifold switches but they were all properly set.

One additional observation: Normally, after I fill the tank, when I turn the water pump back on, I can hear it running for a short time. I did not hear it running this time. Also, it did not run when I was trying to run water at the kitchen and bathroom faucets.

Is there a step I have overlooked that I need to perform to get the water to run? Any ideas about why the water pump would not be running now, when it used to be fine?

Coincidentally, I have been planning to replace the water pump and add the quieting hoses; 4048 is currently at the top of my list.

Is it just a coincidence that my water pump went out at the same time my water tank emptied and my ice maker stopped making ice? Is there a procedure for "priming" the pump?

Anything else I need to check? Guess I better check my circuit breaker for the water pump, but the green lights do go on and off as I turn it on and off.

Any and all guidance is eagerly anticipated.

Thanks,

Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Water Pump Not Pumping Water

Reply #1
Does the green light next to each water pump switch light up?  If not, it could be a bad switch or a bad latching relay.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Water Pump Not Pumping Water

Reply #2
Trent,

Most are self-priming.  Easier if you open a faucet while it is priming to air (and then water) has an easy exit.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Water Pump Not Pumping Water

Reply #3
Trent,

With your coach being a 2000 you should have the big white latching relay.  Go to your basement and remove the fiberglass cover that has the electric stuff behind it.  Take and give it a whack with a hammer handle to see if it will come un stuck. Sometime this just happens.  There will also be a little grey/white button on the top that you can also push to see if you can get it to move.
Here is what you are looking for Water Fill, Water Pump Latching Relay
There is also a link to where you can find a replacement if you look through the thread.

Mike

Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Water Pump Not Pumping Water

Reply #4
I would check at the pump for 12 volts.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

 

Re: Water Pump Not Pumping Water

Reply #5
Check the ground wire for the pump. Ours broke a few years ago and had me scratching my head for a bit until I removed the big blue bladder. Then I could easily see the broken wire. Five minutes later the wire was reconnected and the pump worked. Ten minutes and a blood sacrifice later the blue bladder was back where it belonged.