Water pump failure

Mar 8, 2019
68
0
80
Visit site
Hi everyone, we're now at tarifa, Spain, and all going well with van up to now.
The water pump has been a bit tempromental, but has worked, but seems to have given up the ghost.
The light comes on when the tap is opened, but nothing happens. Is it likely to be the blue connector thing, or the actual pump itself? If they are separate even, I don't know. If its the blue connector, are they the same for every van?
Any info very welcome! :(
Cath
 
Oct 12, 2013
3,037
4
0
Visit site
Have a look at the pump tube that goes into your aqua roll , is it not curled around and stopping any water through and maybe just sucking air through ?
 
Mar 14, 2005
17,557
3,051
50,935
Visit site
Hello Cath.

The symptoms you describe could be a poor electrical connection where the pump plugs into the side of the caravan. This isn't uncommon, and can usually be fairly easily repaired.

You haven't told us the make or model of your pump system, but most have a pair of brass pins and sockets in the pump connection, that make the pumps electrical connection. These can become corroded and/or slightly bent with the continual insertion and removal over time.

Pull out the plug and look for two brass electrical connectors. The pins are often of a split design, but over time the gap can close a little which prevents them from making a good contact in their respective socket tubes. Gently prize them open just a bit so they make a good contact when they are pushed into third sockets.

If the look very dull or have any powdery deposits (usually green), try using a proprietary electrical contact cleaner on them. If you don't have any of that, try some vinegar on a cotton wool bud, but make sure you wash the components afterwards.

If that doesn't sort out the pump, then its likely the pump it's self may be faulty. If you're lucky there may be another caravanner with the same system on site, and perhaps you could ask if you could try their pump or if you could test your pump on their caravan.

If the pump is faulty you will need to replace it. The simplest is to buy a complete pump and hose of the same model, but as your abroad that may not be possible, so with a bit of care you should be able to dismantle your pump from its hose, and to fit any similar pump you can obtain, it doesn't have to be the same make. Just a heads up, when removing the old pump, disconnect the pumps wire from the plug, but attach a piece of string to it, so when you pull the wire out of the hose it pulls the string through the hose. You can then use the string to pull the new wire back through the hose. Washing up liquid can be used to lubricate the cable to help it thread through the hose. Rince some water through the cables side to remove any residue.

Hope this helps
 
Mar 8, 2019
68
0
80
Visit site
Thank you so much. I will look at connectors and check them. Think this must be it, as my husband pressed down on hose and it started to work. We've rigged a bungee on it to keep it in the right position and it's working.
Thanks for all your your help
Cath :)
 
Mar 14, 2005
3,027
40
20,685
Visit site
Hope it's still working well. I would have suggested exactly what the Prof. said having had similar problems in similar places. If it is a Whale unit then their website is very helpful but if the pump itself has burnt out or otherwise failed then it is not repairable. Replacement is pretty expensive and i have found it better to replace with an on-board pump which sucks the water in rather than puming up through the wall plug in connector. Also the design of pump means it is much less likely to damage if accidentally allowed to run dry for any significant period.
 
Nov 16, 2015
10,394
2,788
40,935
Visit site
WinnieSophie, hope all goes well, I always carry a second pump, after finding out trying to find out in France what spares you just cannot get hold of. Hope your trip goes well. A UK dealer can always DHS or other carrier to get you spares.
 

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts