Bilge pump runs constantly

[jkallen21]

Have I mentioned I hate the bilge/kill switch idea? I think I did. I may convert to a float switch. Anyway, I throw the switch to bilge only and the pump starts and never stops. Just the one in the engine compartment not the ski locker. Ideas?
2006 SANTE

[acs220]

Have I mentioned I hate the bilge/kill switch idea? I think I did. I may convert to a float switch. Anyway, I throw the switch to bilge only and the pump starts and never stops. Just the one in the engine compartment not the ski locker. Ideas?
2006 SANTE

The float switch inside the pump is either stuck or failed. I had this happen to one of the pumps in our 08 210. Try taking the pump out and cleaning it. Nautique is famous for occasionally leaving a little "junk" in the hull during fab and sometimes something will get stuck in the bilge float.

[Neverenough]

We have an 08 and it does the same thing. Also first time you start it for the day the bilge turns on on the dash and you have to turn it off. I have not seen a float switch yet. Wonder where the little guy is???? Hmmm ill find it tomorrow and check it.

[DanielC]

There is no float switch on the bilge pump. The pump senses a load, like moving water, and if it is loaded, it continues to run, until the water is gone. This system works good, until you get some oily gunk built up in the bilge pump. Then the gunk drags on the pump impeller, and and the pump thinks it is moving water.

Try taking the bilge pump out, and cleaning as much of the gunk out of it as you can.

[crobi2]

If it's not any of the above, it may have already been replaced and they hooked up the "always on" wire instead of the "auto" wire. Or they could have put a non auto pump in there.

[scottb7]

yep, if it does NOT say fully automatic on the top then just replace it....i just replaced one of the two of mine cause it took on water and froze up. and i fell good about fact that at least i have one new one in the boat. ps if you hate the fully auto so much then just replace it with one with float switch. you have constant power to the pumps in bilge only mode so easy to do.