My well won't come on and I have already tried cleaning the points, but that didn't work. Someone told me a while back that the points needed to be replaced and they were going to come back and do it but they didn't. Now I have to fix it. Can someone please tell me how to change the points, if it isn't too big of a task. It doesn't look like it would be that much trouble.

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Hi cmread and welcome, you can put temporary jumper wires around the pressure switch to check if it is the problem. Be sure and knock the power and make sure it's safe and if the pump runs then change the switch. I'm sure others will be along with good advice. Good luck

What are temporary jumper wires? And where is the pressure switch?
Thank you

Cm, the points you cleaned are in the pressure switch, does this look like your switch?

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To Parttime, yes, that is just like my switch. I changed the pressure switch, but it didn't do any better. When I went to rewire it I couldn't remember exactly how to do it. When I took the old one off it was either white,black,white,black or black,white,black,white. Anyway I blew the fuses. My well guy said it is suppose to be two black on one side and two white on the other side. He came over and looked at it and said it is right. But I am confused as to how that could be right when it was the other way when I took the old one off. I haven't been able to find a picture and explanation of how the wires are suppose to be yet. Either way it didn't work. Now my well guy says that I need a control box, but I don't know what size to get because I don't know what HP my pump is or does it matter and would I have better pressure if I get the 1 1/2 HP instead of the 3/4 HP? And how hard is it to put on a control box? If it isn't any worse than the pressure switch I can do it if not I will have to find someone to do it for me. Next time I will definitely write down and or draw a picture of the way it is before I remove the old one. Thanks Parttime for your time and help, I appreciate it.

Cm, if your pump was working without a control box I wouldn't see the need to install one.. I guess the recent storm and flooding is affecting regulars here, try and hang on a little longer, in the mean time I would... recheck the fuses, since you know how to safely clean the points, make sure there not burnt or blister in the mis-wiring. Good luck

Also make sure the little tube going to the pressure switch is clear of build up.

There is already a control box on the well now, but it still isn't working, so I guess I will have to put a new one on. I have already put in new fuses. I just don't know what to do at this point. But I will check the points to make sure there isn't any damage to them. That is what I was concerned about if maybe we messed up something by not having the pressure switch wired properly.

Cm, can you post a picture or two, may be able to tell more with pictures.

Parttime, I put on the control box and now I have water, but water is leaking around the pressure switch. The guy at the store told me I didn't need any sealant for the pipe to connects the pressure switch to the well, but I do. Now I just to find out what kind of sealant I need to put on the pipe. I will have to take the pressure switch off and put the sealant on the pipe and then put the cotton pick'n pressure switch back on.@%#$&%*(@!

Your pump control box will tell what voltage and horspower the pump is. If you take the pump control cover to a pluming supply store, they will be able to give you an exact match for the control box. Nine times out of ten, if not even more often than that, you can just replace the cover, and leave the base of the box intact. This way, there will be no rewiring to deal with, just snap the new cover on and if that doesn't fix the issue, then on to the next step. One note, goulds and franklin electric control box covers are interchangeable, however if you have a redjacket pump or control box, the control must be replaced with a redjacket box.
You do not want mismatch the control box to the pump. Need an exact hp, voltage match for sure.

Just saw your last post. All you need for the threads on the nipple connecting to the pressure switch is teflon tape, a few wraps will do, or liquid pipe dope. Then snug it up good and tight and you will be all set. Glad to hear is was indeed just the control box. Beats pulling a pump.

Cm your in good hands with mygirlsdad, your almost there, like dad said, a few wraps of teflon tape and all is good.

I always seal pipes, especially where there is a pressure switch attached because you will lose pressure and this will put it out of calibration. You have a cut-in and cut-out on the pressure switch that usually needs to be set. Look at the old one and try to copy it, but also use a pressure gauge to test the pressure. You should have an air tank to help regulate the water pressure and stop water hammer. Another way to smooth it out and help the pressure switch to work better is to put in a tee with a pipe going up and capped on the end so it holds air. Sudden pressure changes are then cushioned. You want the pressure switch to work without cutting in and out too much. Short-cycling will burn up the switch and the pump motor. About a 20 psi differential is best. Look here for some instructions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXVeKvAWPsU
Good Luck! DrTom4444

Power comes in on #1 and #3 and to motor on #2 and #4, in case anyone need to know. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXVeKvAWPsU . DrTom4444

Thanks guys, for all the help. I should have known to seal that pipe my daddy use to be a plumber and I watched him a lot he always sealed pipes. Should have listened to my gut, next time I will know better for sure. All except for the leak it was working like a charm, made me feel great to know that all I needed was a $52 control box, I was really worried that it could be something serious and really expensive. I was yelling wooohooo! When it clicked on! And I did it, with some good advice from my friends here and my well guy. Thank you all so much for your input. Maybe this will help someone else. Furthermore, if there are any ladies out there that may need to put a pressure switch and control box, it is a cinch. Just make sure you have cut the power first, or you won't need any water. Next, if you need to make sure you take notes at how the things are wired before you take them off, or better yet draw a diagram and label wires if you need to. In my case, where the control box was labeled for red, yellow, and black wires, mine were all yellow, so I labeled the wires to be sure I hooked them back up properly. Knowing that I can do this, (I use to do all sorts of things when I was younger), now I know when something breaks, maybe I can fix it myself. One thing is for sure I will sure try to.