Bilge Pump switch at helm

[James420]

I know I can wire the pump directly through the battery but
my question is all the lights under the switches work on the dash except for the bilge switch, of course the pump doesn’t work either. Boat is 1997 Seaswirl Striper. What would stop the switch from getting power?

 

[Chris1956]

I have a '98 Striper. The light on the bilge pump switch will come on when I set the switch to "on" or when the pump runs automatically.

That switch would normally have battery power, ground and the bilge pump wire on it. The power and ground would normally be piggy-backed from some other switches. I suspect that when the pump runs automatically, power is fed back to the switch, causing the light to glow.

Clearly you need to jumper the bilge pump to make sure it works. If it has an automatic setting (pump float switch) check that it is working. (The float switch and the ground of the pump need to be directly connected to the battery.)

If the automatic setting runs the bilge pump, then the wiring to the switch, the power and ground to the switch or the switch itself is not working.