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kbaledge · Aug 31, 2008, 08:16 PM

I have a well where I get my yard water from. It has a 1/1/2 hp sears motor with a foot valve. My problem is is that the pump just started running and it will not turn off. I have to turn it off at the breaker switch. Just before this began to happen the pump was not turning on until the water was turned on and the pressure got real low, like down to a dribble. I have tried adgusting the pressure switch. It has one screw that I believe automatically adjust at 20 pounds between settings and that has not changed anything. Do I need to replace the switch? Could it be that the contacts are burnt or worn out? Please advize. Thank You so much
Sincerely,
KB

Teresa51 · Aug 31, 2008, 08:33 PM

It could be a number of things. I have had well pump problems myself. The last one was where the pump continued to run and would not cut off. The problem was that the pump had lost its pressure, and the reason it had lost it's pressure was because the water level had dropped so low (we were experiencing a drought) that the "shallow well" pump could no longer pump up the water out of the ground. We ended up installing a "deep well" after installing about 30 more feet of pipe into the well. (This solution to the problem was only after we went through several other solutions---it was trial and error over a course of 4 days!)

I do know that if you continue to let the pump run, it will burn up your motor.

kbaledge · Aug 31, 2008, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Teresa51

It could be a number of things. I have had well pump problems myself. The last one was where the pump continued to run and would not cut off. The problem was that the pump had lost its pressure, and the reason it had lost it's pressure was because the water level had dropped so low (we were experiencing a drought) that the "shallow well" pump could no longer pump up the water out of the ground. We ended up installing a "deep well" after installing about 30 more feet of pipe into the well. (This solution to the problem was only after we went through several other solutions---it was trial and error over a course of 4 days!)

I do know that if you continue to let the pump run, it will burn up your motor.

Hi teresa, Thanks for the answer. The problem with this pump is that it continues to ren and build up pressure. It is pumping water and I have to shut it off at the breaker and then bleed the pressure of the water line down to around 30 pounds. Keeping the breaker switch off until IM ready to use the water again. Can you sudgest a solution? Thank you for all your help
Sincerely,
KB

Teresa51 · Aug 31, 2008, 09:13 PM

Another time I had this problem, I did as you have said that you have done and that was to adjust the screw that adjusts the pressure. And that finally worked for me as I played with it a bit. It sounds like you are saying that the pressure continues to get larger and larger as the water pumps. (I think it is supposed to stop between 30 and 40 pounds, although I am not sure). Perhaps a new switch is the solution.

If you don't get an answer here from a plumber, have you tried Googling "troubleshooting water pumps" and find your answer there?

kbaledge · Aug 31, 2008, 10:15 PM

Thank you so much for you help. I will try on Google. I do think that I will go down on Tuesday and buy a pressure switch and see if that will solve my problem. Again thank you so much.
Sincerely,
KB

Teresa51 · Aug 31, 2008, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by kbaledge

Thank you so much for you help. I will try on Google. I do think that I will go down on Tuesday and buy a pressure switch and see if that will solve my problem. Again thank you so much.
Sincerely,
KB

When you Google, you may find your answer, but if not, I am willing to bet that the guy at the hardware store where you buy the switch can give you his insight.

I surely hope you resolve your situtation soon as I know how annoying water pump problems can be.

hkstroud · Sep 1, 2008, 04:59 AM

Yes it sounds like you have a defective pressure switch. Either the switch is defective or it is set to cut off at a pressure that is greater than the pump can achieve. I am assuming that you have a shallow well, and a surface pump. What kind and size tank do you have. It is also possible that the pipe (if you have any) of the pressure switch is clogged. Also possible that pressure switch it self is clogged with debris if it is very old. Remove and clean before replacing.

speedball1 · Sep 1, 2008, 05:44 AM

It is also possible that the pipe (if you have any) of the pressure switch is clogged. Also possible that pressure switch it self is clogged with debris if it is very old. Remove and clean before replacing.

Herald touched on this. Let me take it a bit farther. There's a small tube that runs from the pump to the control box. If this tube were blocked the control box wouldn't recognize that the cut out point had been reached and would keep on pumping. I would check this tube before I messed with the adjustments or replaced the control box. Good luck, Tom

jlisenbe · Sep 1, 2008, 08:53 AM

KB, you've gotten good advice here. Check the switch and pipe. The good news is this is a cheap fix IF you are comfortable working with the electrical side. The site below gives an example of what you will need if the switch is bad.

Square D 9013FSG2J21 Water Pump Pressure Switch