Re: NOOB Here...
The bilge pump circuit is fairly simple and straight forward. You should have 12v coming from a source under the dash going to the bilge pump fuse. From there it goes to the switch. Most switches have three positions, On, Off, Automatic. When you flip the switch On, the pump should spin, even if there's no water in the bilge. When you flip the switch to Automatic, power now goes directly to a float switch in the bilge, and from there to the pump. The pump, in the Automatic setting, will only work if there is water in the bilge to lift the floating arm of the float switch. If you lift the float switch arm, the pump should work. There is a second wire coming from the pump which goes to the ground. Using a light or a meter, check if you have electricity to the switch. If not, check the fuse and the wiring in between the power source and the switch. If yes, check at the pump for electricity. A test lamp with a probe point works great for that. If not, check the wiring from the switch to the pump. If yes, check the pump itself. Must pump cases pop open to clean out the pump. If debris is caught inside, the pump won't spin. If the pump is bad, replace it. I recommend you put in a more powereful pump since the cost difference is small, the physical sizes are usually the same, and the output helps when you need it. Good luck. Hy
