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    ddchristian's Avatar
    ddchristian Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 30, 2008, 06:02 PM
    Water pump will not shut off
    My water pump will not shut off. The other day my water run out so I had to prime the pump. I got water back but now it won't shut off on it's own. I can manually shut it off from the pressure switch. I noticed the pressure gauge will reach a certain point to turn on but then seems stuck there. It won't raise or lower. I got good water pressure. I already know my well needs to be dug deeper because the water table in the area has dropped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    Oct 1, 2008, 02:14 PM
    Will it pump up to the cut-off PSI? Regards, Tom
    ddchristian's Avatar
    ddchristian Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Oct 1, 2008, 04:00 PM

    The pressure gauge will go up to about 32 and no higher. I have tried to adjust the points to lower pressure and that didn't work so I tried higher and that didn't to anything either. The bottom valve, not sure what is called, is leaking really bad now. A nut that was on it broke in two when I opened the valve.
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
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    #4

    Oct 1, 2008, 04:26 PM

    If your pressure seems to be good at the faucets(better than 32psi) then I would start by replacing your pressure gauge. If you get a more accurate reading, your pressure switch may be bad. If replacing these components doesn't help, you may have some serious problem(bad, or plugged pump, leak undergroud.
    What kind of pressure did your gage show before you had this problem? Should have been between 40 and 60 psi.
    You mentioned a low water table. Are you sure your pump isn't running dry. Go to the well, take off the well cap and listen. Tell me what you hear.
    That's all I have for now. Let me know what you find.
    Good luck
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #5

    Oct 1, 2008, 05:14 PM

    DD, could it be that the valve (I assume the main shut-off valve) is leaking so badly that the pump cannot deliver sufficient volume to get above 32#??
    ddchristian's Avatar
    ddchristian Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Oct 2, 2008, 02:13 AM

    I believe that could be one of the problems because now I don't have water this morning. Does anyone know if I can just replace the nut that broke or do I have to replace all of it?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #7

    Oct 2, 2008, 04:59 AM
    If you're referring to the bonnet packing nut, if you have a old valve around that uses the same size I would say your only option would be to replace the valve. However, in my opinion, you have more problems then just a leaky shut off v alve. But first things first. Repair or replace the valve and get back to us with the results. Good luck, Tom
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
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    #8

    Oct 2, 2008, 04:46 PM

    How badly is the valve leaking? I doubt that this leaky valve would cause you to have no water. But you just as well replace the valve first( going to have to do it anyway). Still curious about your water table.
    ddchristian's Avatar
    ddchristian Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Oct 2, 2008, 06:48 PM
    Ok, got it working now. I replaced the shut off valve and the pressure gauge. It seemed to be the pressure gauge that was causing the problem. Thank everyone for helping me out with this.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #10

    Oct 2, 2008, 06:59 PM

    Of all the things that might have been causing the problem, the pressure gauge was not it. All it does is read pressure, not regulate it. It probably was, of course, defective.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #11

    Oct 3, 2008, 04:18 AM
    My water pump will not shut off. The other day my water run out so I had to prime the pump. I got water back but now it won't shut off on it's own. I can manually shut it off from the pressure switch. I noticed the pressure gauge will reach a certain point to turn on but then seems stuck there
    This was your original complaint. Jlisenbe is bang on. A faulty pressure gage wouldn't cause this to happen. Are you saying the pump's working now? Regards, Tom
    ddchristian's Avatar
    ddchristian Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Oct 3, 2008, 12:44 PM
    Yes, the pump is working fine now with the new pressure gauge. It is kicking on when it should and kicking off when it should. I did read on another site that a faulty pressure gauge can cause problems like I was having. I 'm just happy it is working like it should be now.
    jlisenbe's Avatar
    jlisenbe Posts: 5,020, Reputation: 157
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    #13

    Oct 3, 2008, 04:32 PM

    DD, when you refer to a pressure gauge, is it possible you are referring to the electrical pressure switch?
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