Forward bilge pump running when turned off

[Jack]

forward bilge pump.jpg

My boat was at the dock on shore power and I heard an electric motor running. I found that it was the forward bilge pump but couldn't turn it off. I never get water there and only run it briefly to check that it still works. Can't figure out why it turned on when the switch was in the off position. The only way I could get it to stop was to turn off shore power and the main DC switch. I pulled a wire that connected the motor to power so that I could use the boat. Any ideas about why it could not be turned off and how to fix? Thanks. See 3 pictures attached.

[Carl]

Sounds like the automatic float switch is stuck or gone bad. Trace the wire from the pump to the switch and check to see if its working.

[catalina_mike]

The float controls the bilge and the switch at the helm also runs it by bypassing the float.

See diagram link:
http://www.chipford.com/graphics/bilge_switch.pdf

[Jack]

Sorry I called this the forward bilge pump but it is the shower pump. The bilge pump is the light colored one down lower in the bilge. I reconnected the wire and the shower pump started up again. I can't control it by means of the switch - just by disconnecting the wire.

[catalina_mike]

Same info then the float switch is stuck or the contacts inside are. Replace the float switch and you will be good to go. Soap film gets in the float asembley and causes the switches to stick on or off.

[Serenity]

Turning off the AC to boat will have no effect. On my Albin I have a breaker on the DC panel for the sump pump which energizes the float switch. You might want to check that out as well.

[kowal_53]

I just had this same problem on my 31. It turned out to be a bad float switch. My 28 used the same float switch but on the bilge, which was also stuck on. That time I just had to clean the float switch and it worked.

[kjg1951]

I talked with Paul about the pump that will not trun off... They are sending me a new pump !!! as it is under warranty. Great service !!!