Water Pump or Toilet Issue?

[87Itasca]

Hi all,

I replaced a cracked Flojet in January with another Flo-Jet, and I'm not sure if now my pressure switch has gone bad, causing it to run constantly, or if my toilet is out of adjustment.

I don't use the pump much, just kind of "as needed" when I am not hooked up to city water. Normally it comes on for 3-4 seconds, then shuts off until I open a faucet, or use the restroom.

Over the weekend, I noticed I heard it running constantly all of a sudden, when I was using the bathroom.

I turned it off, checked for leaks, and found none. No exterior or interior leaks; I pulled access plates, drawers, etc. apart to be sure. The pump will come on and stay on.  If I push down lightly on the toilet 'handle' enough to crack the cover open, but not enough for water to start running, it will shut off. If I let off the handle, it will run again. It's not 'labored', as much as it just seems like it's simply running. I have water pressure through the unit; if I push on the handle all the way, the toilet will pump water into the bowl as it usually does. Then when I let off, the pump runs for a few seconds, building up pressure, followed by it shutting off momentarily, then going into whatever 'run' mode it currently is in.

I don't want to replace the pump if it is not the problem, but I am not sure if my toilet handle is something that can be adjusted, or if something else is going on. Like I said, if I crack the handle just a bit, the pump seems to shut off.

[Rickf1985]

The only time the pump will run is if the water pressure drops and the only time pressure drops is when water is being used. As in it is going somewhere. The toilet is the problem, not the pump and there is water leaking somewhere. Make sure it is not leaking out of the vacuum break behind the toilet usually right below the seat level. You have to reach around and in behind. If it is leaking the floor back there will be wet. These vacuum breaks do go bad over the years but if it is a fairly new toilet it should not be bad. Otherwise it is most likely leaking into the tank.

[87Itasca]

Oddly enough, it has seemed to stop on its own. I'll monitor it for a while and see if it starts doing it again so I can troubleshoot, but for the time being, the pump doesn't run for over an hour (as long as I tested it) after the initial "prime" time after a faucet has been opened. I went outside today and turned the switch on, and the pump didn't run until I opened a faucet, so it seems to be holding its own now.

[Aaarrghh]

I copied this from my Shurflo instructions:

    "If no leak can be detected, shut off the pump. Remove the output line. Insert a cap or plug in the open end. You can make a  plug from a barb fitting with a cap tightly screwed on the threads.

    "If a threaded fitting, use a cap or plug . Either way -- there must be NO leak. Turn the pump switch on. The pump should come on, run a few seconds and shut off. If the pump remains off the problem is not the pump. The problem is in the system. If however, the pump goes on and off there may be a problem in the pump. There may be an internal pump leak which allows water to escape from the high pressure area back into the low pressure inlet causing the pump to cycle. This may be caused by a valve held open by a foreign particle or by a crack in the casting.

    PUMP DOES NOT SHUT OFF
    "The wall switch may be used for temporary control of the  pump. A low battery may be the cause. Voltage should be 10 1/4 volts or more to the pump. Low voltage may provide energy enough for the pump to run but not enough for it to reach shut off pressure. Also the switch mechanism may be stuck. Try tapping the switch cap on the end of the pump with the handle of a screwdriver."

Check the voltage at the pump. An oxidized or corroded connection causing high resistance may be the culprit, even if your battery is fully charged.

[Surfinhurf]

The seal on your toilet could of been dry,  was leaking in normal mode, you pushed handle, moved drain a bit and seal sealed, after a couple days seal got wet and expanded, no more leak i??




HURF