Water pump won't switch off.

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 10:54

ThreadID: 130983 Views:3476 Replies:7 FollowUps:9

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racinrob

The 12v Shurflow water pump in my van has decided it wants to pump non stop and I have to turn it on/off at the power board, obviously it should only pump on demand or to maintain pressure. It has an accumulator but I don't know where to start looking for the fault. Thanks in advance.

Rob VKE237 6678

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Reply By: HKB Electronics - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 11:42

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 11:42

The pump will have an inbuilt pressure switch that has most likely failed, sometimes
tapping the switch with a screw driver will unstick it.

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Follow Up By: HKB Electronics - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 11:44

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 11:44

should have added the switch will most likely be in a square housing on the pump
body where the hoses attach.

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Reply By: member - mazcan - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 13:19

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 13:19

hi racin rob
the first thing i would check is to see if there is a leaking hose clamp or tap or pvc pipe as it is most important unless the pump can build up stand by pressure then it wont shut off it is more likely to be a leak in the system than a faulty stand by pressure valve
but if any doggy water has been used well then the valves could be fouled up with sediment

i have owned a 12v shurflow for 17yrs and only put new valves in it last year initaily mine was used for weed spraying for first 10 yrs and is now in my camper trailer they are a very good pump rarely give any trouble
i have an inline filter on mine i highly recommend one if you haven't got one installed it stops the sediment from getting to the valve bodies
hope this is helpful cheers barry

AnswerID: 593147

Follow Up By: Roachie Silverado - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 15:28

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 15:28

What is "doggy water" please???

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Follow Up By: MUZBRY- Life member(Vic) - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 16:50

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 16:50

I recon he means "dodgy" water. Just my opinion Roachie

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Follow Up By: ian.g - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 16:55

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 16:55

I hope you're not drinking the water that has been pumped with that pump, if it was used for weed spraying? very toxic chemicals are in some weed sprays, I personally would not have it any where near a domestic application.

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Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Saturday, Nov 28, 2015 at 11:00

Saturday, Nov 28, 2015 at 11:00

sorry Roachie a typo

ian .g
don't stress mate i.m an ex farmer and well aware of the chemicals in weed sprays etc
sorry but i.m smarter than you give me credit for i dismantled it and i thoroughly washed and scrubbed all parts a couple of times with truck wash then used boiling water and disinfectant then re-assembled it and pumped clean water through it long before it was installed in my camper trailer
cheers

FollowupID: 861407

Follow Up By: ian.g - Saturday, Nov 28, 2015 at 12:26

Saturday, Nov 28, 2015 at 12:26

I'm off the land also and have spent 60+ years dealing with agricultural chemicals and believe me I don't care if you burnt the insides of that pump with a oxy torch I wouldn't drink or wash in water pumped with it, you will never entirely get rid of residues that will remain. When you are diagnosed with some form of incurable cancer don't cry, just feel good that you saved $200 by using a old pump instead of buying a new one.

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Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Saturday, Nov 28, 2015 at 12:49

Saturday, Nov 28, 2015 at 12:49

hi ian.g
your entitled to pass an opinion it is noted but please stop stressing about incurable cancer and saving money the pump was only ever used for round -up not all the other nasty chemicals that you would have used
i have no concerns with or about my ability to clean something thoroughly it was cleaner than a new one when i was finished with it
cheers have a good one

FollowupID: 861415

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 13:48

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 13:48

If you can eliminate the possible leak as mentioned above........there will be a pressure switch, under a cover at one end of the pump - and it will have an adjustment screw to fine tune the cut in / cut out limits. Might need a bit of a fiddle. My 6 year old pump recently started playing up and it was the pressure switch (adjustment achieved little - probably worn out)....I was on a trip in WA, so I just bought a whole new pump for about $210....reasonable $ I thought.

AnswerID: 593148

Reply By: Bushranger1 - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 16:52

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 16:52

If the pump is "cycling". (cutting in & out continuously) then you need to check the Non return valve on the intake side of the pump.
Sometimes the valve will not reseat due to foreign debris so all the water pumped into the accumulator will flow back down the inlet into the tank then the pump will start up again & again repeating the cycle.
If its running all the time then as others have said check the pressure switch.
Cheers
Stu

AnswerID: 593153

Reply By: mike39 - Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 18:52

Thursday, Nov 26, 2015 at 18:52

Mine displayed an identical problem.
There is a pressure adjustment screw under the cover, rear end of the pump.
Simple matter to adjust, but I always travel with the isolator switch off.
A blocked sink with a tap accidently turned on can pump more than enough water into the van.
mike

AnswerID: 593156