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Water Pump pressure

Yahoo Message Number: 16507
The water pump on our 2003 Intrigue cycles on and off every second or so and produces very modest pressure even when the water is turned on full. For example, when boondocking and taking a shower, we have the water turned on full and the pump produces a relatively low volume of water and the pump cycles on and off. I would expect that if I had the valve fully open that the pump would just turn on and stay on to produce maximum volume and pressure -- but maybe it isn't supposed to work that way.

This symptom may have changed with newer model coaches since CC may be using a different model pump. Does anyone with a 2003 or earlier model have similar or different results? Please share you experiences.

I'm just wondering if my pump is defective or if maybe it needs cleaned or something.

Regards,

Bob Kumza

2003 Intrigue #11581

Re: Water Pump pressure

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 16508
Just curious have you checked the water filter? I know ours got really messed up at the Fremont Elks. We now use an exterior filter as well.

Gordon Hertz

2003 Intrigue #11587

Re: Water Pump pressure

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 16511
Bob,

My 04 does the same thing, even with a fresh filter the pressure is a joke. I will probably upgrade to the new one mentioned.
Tom

04 Allure 30979

Re: Water Pump pressure

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 16512
That was my first reaction also.

 I think sometimes the pump gets a bad rap and the real fault lies elsewhere.

 After checking the filter I would then check the faucets. Just as in a regular home over time sediment can build up on the filter screen and they need cleaning. The spray nozzle in the kitchen seems particularly prone to this condition but it is really easy to remove the nozzle. Once removed the volume of water flowing through the pipes is easy to observe and the pump should be running continuously.

 Another culprit is the foam (?) seal in the on off valve located in the wet bay. Every time you switch from city supply to tank supply this valve seal gets worn. Ultimately it will start to fail and allow water to continually dribble through the system. As the pressure in the system goes down the pump receives a demand for water and will cycle on until the pressure is built up again. If you normally leave your pump switched to the "on" position and every once in a while you hear the pump activate for a very brief period this seal may be the culprit.

 Assuming no other obvious leaks attention can be focused on the pump. Once again it may not be the pump that is at fault but it could be the pressure switch that is built into the pump/motor housing. This pressure switch tells the motor of the pump when to turn on and off. The key part of the pressure switch is the internal diaphragm and dirt or old age may effect its performance.

 The good news is that replacement parts for the pressure switch are easy to find. The bad news is the labor involved in replacing it. On my rig you have to take the pump out first & that is quite a chore.

 New pumps complete with new pressure switches are not very expensive and as the work involved is almost identical to just working on the pressure switch it is easy to see why many repair facilities would simply prefer to replace the whole unit rather then fiddle with the pressure switch.

 A rather long winded reply but maybe some part of it may help. David

Water Pump

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 16509
Bob: I'd be happy to share my experience with you, although it hasn't been happy. I had three water pumps during the first year. Two were replaced under CC warranty, the third under mfg. warranty.
First pump was surging as you describe. I replaced it and added an external filter.
Second pump would overfill the fresh tank and overflow out the top tube onto the ground. I replaced it.
Third pump simply quit on it's own accord. Mfg. replaced it.
That pump lasted six years. I just replaced it with the latest Shureflo Smart Sensor. Nice and quiet. Good pressure.
I believe that pumps are simply the "luck of the draw". Some of my friends have had the same pump for 10 years.
I have had four in seven years. Oh yes, I have two external filters so I can't blame bad water.

Happy Camping

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Water Pump

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 59865
My water pump works fine for about 24 hours then it stops will not work again for about 24 hours. This pattern has continued for about a week. Any ideas what I should check?

Jerry

'07 Allure 31485

Re: Water Pump

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 59866
Wow, sounds like a conspiracy - any black helicopters around? ;*)
First thing I would do is check the pump wiring to be sure you have power (and enough of it) to the pump when it quits. That will narrow it down to the pump, or not.
Something like this intermittent problem can be wiring, as something like closing the refrigerator door many jar the wiring bundle in question and cause your problem. I had to completely rewire the 12 volt bathroom power and ground to get my fan to act right - I could not run the fan and light at the same time. By "rewire" all I did was take all the connections apart and put them back together. As I did not want to do it again I soldered the connections and covered them with premium plastic tape. Fixed it.

Hope this helps.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue, 11527

Re: Water Pump

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 59906
Hi Jerry,

I would look at the check valves. You may have one or two that has built up white deposits and shuts. Have you ever heard a sound like a valve closing when this happens? When the pressure drops it may start working again.

Good luck.

Lonny

2006 Affinity 6641

Water Pump

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68284
Gentlemen

I have a 2005 Inspire. the water volume coming from the kitchen sink is only a dribble. should I buy a bigger pump ? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Stan Inspire 2005

Re: Water Pump

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68285

Stan

Is this new? It is possible that it is partially plugged, or maybe you would want to remove the water restrictor.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Water Pump

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68286
I had to soak all my nozzles in vinegar and CLR to free them up - even removed the backflow preventer on the shower, as it was solid calcium inside.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue, 11527

Re: Water Pump

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68319
At any rate, it is cheap and easy to do, and is bound to help. Nothing in my plumbing system worked when I bought my Intrigue, as it had been sitting in a dealership for two years, and was only used when one of the hands wanted to take his girlfriend to the lake. Not abused, just neglected.
I also removed the flow restrictors in the shower head, and finally got a good shower out of it. I had to clean out the fresh water pump, it had slivers of plastic in the pump, so it was only working about 20% - I assume they were slivers from original construction of the rig. A little bit of maintenance, and all is well in the plumbing department now.
Next thing to tackle is to upgrade the TVs and sound system - right after I hit the lottery ;*). Until then it is fine for me

I am glad to help wherever I can.

Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527

Re: Water Pump

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 68320
Jack,

I have not keep score, but I think you have always been willing to share your experience. I am going to do what you have suggested after we return home from Sierra Vista and the Cowboy Country Poetry rally. You brought up an interesting subject with the TV. I am going to investigate the amperage requirement if I replaced our regular TV with on of those flat screens. If, and only if there was a significant lower amperage requirement would I pursue this exchange. I will keep you posted when I have an answer.

Stan 2005 Inspire 51406

Water Pump

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82846
Hi I have a 1999 36ft Allure with a water pump that is not working. Is the pump tied to a fuse. I've looked in the rear fuse box and the two that are at the drivers feet. I do not read, on the fuse box cover, that a water pump is controlled by any of these fuses. The red light on the pump switch is lit. The coach has been sitting for 10 months without the pump being turned on. The water tank reads 1/2 full. All other systems have been turned on and are operational. Any ideas. Many thanks.

Tom Newman 30288

Re: Water Pump

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82847
There are generally 2 fuses, one in line near the pump and the other at the power source for the pump wire.
I don't have a cc so can't help with fuse panel location.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Water Pump

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82865
Tom - I'd take a voltage reading at the pump's terminals to determine whether you have a power/fuse problem or the pump is bad. Some of these pumps have pressure sensing devices in them to vary the flow per water demand. They shut off at about 45 PSI. If the sensor doesn't see a pressure drop the pump won't come on. If the internal control electronics are bad the pump might not come on. A worn commutator and brushes also might shut down the motor. A simple voltage measurement at the terminals will determine where to look. If you don't have a VOM, use a test light. If no voltage is present, fuses, wiring, connectors and/or ground connections are good places to look. I had a similar problem with our bus and the pump was shot.
In a pinch, if you have some jumper cables and test leads you can power the pump from a known good source of 12 VDC off a car or truck. Disconnect the pump from its existing wiring before performing this test. Pumps usually draw between 10 and 15 amps. Be careful doing this so as not to short anything and to maintain proper polarity. Good luck with it.

At 03:50 PM 10/2/2012, you wrote:

Re: Water Pump

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82870
Hi Scott - Thank you for all the great ideas. I'll try them all until I figure this out. Tom

Best Regards

Water Pump

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 82982
A big thanks to those who assisted me in my water pump problem. There was power to the pump. I benched the pump and found it was frozen up solid. I replaced the pump and we're back in business.

We depart So Calif. Sunday for Bend, OR to visit our son.

Thanks again.

Tom & Joyce Newman
Allure 1999 30288

Water Pump

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93121
We went to a park and had full hookups but our water connection was leaking so they told us we couldn't use the water so I said no problem and went to the water pump that we always use.
The pump runs every 40 seconds for about 2.5 seconds.
I looked everywhere for a leak and couldn't find one. I even checked the ice maker in the refrigerator and that line which is a pain. I checked every cupboard, every bay, every sink and looked underneath the coach and no leaks that I could see. I checked the city water fill valve and it was closed.
I bought a new hose that didn't leak and connected back to the water.
I posted this two days ago, but it never posted, it just kicks back a script error message. We are home now for a day and I am using my computer. We are supposed to head out again tomorrow but it will be dry camping.
Does the water pump have a check valve that can go bad and bleed off pressure?

Mark and Helen Surber
07 Intrigue 12162
C13 Cat

06 Rubicon LJ

Re: Water Pump

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93122
The internals of the pump can go bad. Also there could be a small piece of grit under one of the rubber diaphragms allowing the pump to leak off pressure. When that happens, the pump will run.

Might try running the pump with a faucet wide open for a couple of minutes to see if you can flush out any grit. If it keeps running off and on, then you will have to replace the pump or put a rebuild kit on it which isn't hard to do.
Don "02 Intrigue 11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Water Pump

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93123
My back flow valve is connected to the fill access plate where you connect the city water. If the city or park water pressure is low the water pump will pump water from your holding tank into the feed from the your site with a bad valve. The are two common types of valves out there so I Had to remove the panel, procure the correct valve, and replace the defective one. Now the pump doesn't cycle in the middle of the night. If the pump cycles while you are running off your holding tanks after replacing the valve you may have an additional leak some where. Question with out the hose connected do you see water leaking out of your fill receptacle.? If so, its the back flow valve for sure.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Water Pump

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93124
Yes there should be a check valve either external or internal to the pump, keeps you from filling/overfilling the tank when hooked to city water too. Sounds like the pressure is bleeding back down through the pump.

Ray O'Connell

They say wine improves with age! As I enter my golden years, I say age improves with wine! The Born Loser

Re: Water Pump

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93132
A common problem that will cause this is a leak at the valve that allows you to fill your water tank when park water is connected. Be sure that valve is completely off. On our coach that valve developed a slow leak which would cause the same symptoms you are describing. Ours did not go bad until about ten years old, open and close the valve a couple of times with the pump turned on to see if it stops cycling.

Jim Hedlund

2000 Allure 30413