Water pump control switch repair questions & answers set #2:

This article describes how to repair a bad well pump or water pump pressure control switch.

We provide pump pressure switch diagnosis, repair, or replacement advice, procedures & questions & answers about the well pump or water pressure control switch.

FAQs on troubleshooting a water pump pressure control switch

These questions & answers about how to repair the pressure control switch for a well pump were posted originally at WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIRS the topic home page for this topic. Please be sure to also check the diagnosis and repair procedures given there.

Watch out: SAFETY WARNING OF FATAL SHOCK HAZARD: if you remove the cover of the pump pressure control switch you can get access to the two nuts that adjust the operating pressures of the water pump.

But watch out! There are also live electrical contacts exposed in this area. If you touch them, especially being near water piping, there is a serious risk of death by electrocution.

Watch what you touch, or have a professional plumber or electrician do this job for you.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-05-08 by (mod) - a clogged filter or clogged sensor tube can foul the water pump pressure control switch

Thanks for the comment Juju.

Indeed I've run into clogged water filters too - a symptom of a clogged water filter right at the water pump / pressure tank is very rapid on-off cycling of the pump and pressure control switch.

Similarly, debris-clogged faucet strainers and shower heads can fool us. That's why those are among the first places to look when water flow is weak.

Keep in mind that many building water supply systems, probably most, have no filter installed whatsoever. Only where silt, mud, or debris is common in the water supply will we usually find a sediment filter; other reasons for filters are water odors.

See details at WATER FILTERS, HOME USE https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Filters.php

If your new pressure switch is sticking check that there is no clogging of the small diameter pipe or tube that conducts water pressure to the switch sensor port. See also WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pump_Pressure_Switch.php where we discuss clogging.

On 2018-05-08 by Juju

Saw where they kept thinking it was the switch gone bad only to find out it was from a clogged filter. Where is the filter? We have an Artesian Well and GeoThermal heating and cooling. Right now cooling. The NEW switch we put in is getting stuck on zero again.

On 2018-04-09 by (mod) -

Try the diagnostic procedures at

NO WATER PRESSURE

and let me know what you find

On 2018-04-08 by Brian

Replaced pressure switch for our well still no water

On 2018-02-19 by (mod) -

Probably your water pressure tank is waterlogged, that is, it has lost its air charge.

On 2018-02-19 by Gerard

my well pump cuts in as so as i turn a tap on why

On 2018-01-17 by (mod) -

Ruben

When you run water and power is on to the pump you should see and hear the pump turn ON when the water pressure drops to approximately 30 psi. Watch the pressure gauge on your tank.

When you then turn off water in the home the pump will continue to run up to the CUT OFF pressure of approximately 50 psi.

If you're within a couple of PSI of those numbers your system should be fine. This is not absolutely precise lab grade equipment.

On 2018-01-17 by Ruben

I just installed a pressure switch for my well 3050 PSI and a gauge I need help getting my water pressure right.

I got the air pressure in the tank at 28 PSI and I need help and getting my water pressure at 30 cut in or cut on. right now my water pressure is reading 52 PSI is it supposed to be at 30? I need some help clarifying that thank you

On 2018-01-14 1 by (mod) -

Don, take a look into the pump housing for lost prime.

Randy may be offering you a suggestion that there is a reset switch to be lifted.

On 2018-01-14 by Randy

System has internal pump cut off switch

On 2018-01-13 by Don

We recently had a cold snap here in Florida with ice and sleet and our power went out. I first thought my pipes were frozen or my pump had frozen. I heated the pump and water supply to home and water came on in on end of the house and drizzled in the rest of it

I thought I would be able to wait out the other pipes to un-freeze but that never happened. Now today, temps in the 50's I lost all water. I cleaned the contacts on the pump regulator switch and the pump will come on, but won't stay on. And I'm at a loss. I have two bladder tanks and an aerator tank.

I also have two switches, one off well casing to one bladder tank and another on pump to other bladder tank and aerator tank. Help me get water back.

On 2018-01-01 by (mod) -

Fantastic! we work hard to provide accurate, unbiased information, Scott, so I am especially thrilled when a reader finds our info useful. What a nice start to the new year. Thank you for the feed-back.

Now, try adding just a little heat at the pump control - even an incandescent type light bulb may be enough - just keep it fire safe as well.

On 2018-01-01 by Scott Young

Thanks for posting this article. I woke up this AM after temps fell well below freezing last night and we had no water pressure. Our pressure tank is in our root cellar and we occasionally do have some problems with things freezing up when temps are really low for an extended period of time.

The pump would not click on or off. I could do it manually by using a pencil to bring the points together but it was not detecting any pressure.

I put things through a couple of tests and the pump and pressure tank were fine. I then read how you stated that the small pipe that goes to the pressure control box can become easily clogged. Literally two minutes on that pipe with hair dryer and the pump kicked right on and was working fine.

All of that from a little 6" pipe!

On 2017-12-31 by (mod) -

If the pressure drops below the cut-in and the pump control switch doesn't turn on the pump, the control's pressure sensor port may be debris-blocked. Replace the switch and clean the tube conducting water pressure to the pump.

On 2017-12-31 by Jim Norman

I have a problem I lose water pressure to my house and I go and check the well and the pump is not running. I have a submerge pump and there is switch at well for pump and turn it on and off and then it comes on and I have pressure and water.

When my Blue Pressure tank is empty then I lose pressure and the pump does not come on. So I turn it off and on and it comes on and stays on. Not sure if it always stayed on and did this or if this a new problem. Then when I get water pressure and water and the blue pressure tank is empty it starts all over again.

Is this a pressure switch problem? Also I get lots of air coming when I do have water pressure. I check the air pressure in my Blue Pressure tank and it is good.
Thank you in advance.

On 2017-12-14 by (mod) -

Great question, Rick.

There are two common explanations for a finicky pressure control switch that lies there like my sleeping dog Katie until tapped to wake up.

1. dirt or debris in the pressure switch water pressure sensing port is clogging the switch, or dirt / debris in the small pipe nipple or tube that conducts water (and pressure) to the bottom of the switch is clogged: either of those blockages can be prevent the pressure control from registering a water pressure drop that should turn on the pump

2. An internal electrical problem in the switch such as a loose wire or burned contact points.

Watch out: don't go poking the wires in the switch nor trying to tighten wiring connections with power on - you could be shocked and killed.

On 2017-12-14 by Rick

Why would the pressure switch work normal and then at times you have to tap on switch to make contact

On 2017-11-28 by (mod) -

Empty - remove all water from the entire system: pipes, tanks.

On 2017-11-28 by Anonymous

What do you mean empty?

On 2017-11-28 by (mod) -

To change out a water pressure control switch you would typically remove water pressure from the system, though a plumber would probabably not drain the system entirely.

Otherwise when you remove the switch from its connection to the tube or pipe nipple that conducts water pressure to the switch bottom sensor port water will squirt all over the place.

On 2017-11-28 by Anonymous

Do you need to drain water when changing or cleaning the deep well pressure switch?

On 2017-11-25 by (mod) -

Bill,

What's the brand and model of your pump pressure control switch? Some switches have a pump protection switch that will turn off the pump to protect it from running dry and burning up. And some of those switches have to be manually reset.

On 2017-11-22 by Bill

Pressure pump won't restart after dropping pressure.

Pressure set at 60psi cuut out 40 psi cut in .

Head pressure is approx 38 mts.

Pressure doesn't drop to cut in pressure

On 2017-11-17 by Crystal McKnight

our water works fine, until we turn on the hydrant outside that is in our pasture. Previous owners stated something was installed incorrectly. But we don’t know how to correct. It will turn our water off. And I have to re start the pressure switch

On 2017-09-26 by Wayne

Well pump works. Pumps water to faucet outside of pump house but not to house.

Pressure gauge reads 62 high 52 low wont fill pressure tank. Is low pressure reading to high? It's a 1hp Wayne pressure gauge is mounted on side of unit. Do I toss stick of TNT at the sob, get a new one, or can it be fixed?

On 2017-09-02 by Gregards Barkley

On the pressure switch contacts?

On 2017-09-02 by Gregards Barkley

Can you put on On Ox Id on contact points for corrosion?

On 2017-08-29 by (mod) -

Sounds as if there is either a bad pressure control or a blockage such as a dirty water filter on the outlet side.

On 2017-08-28 by david Abel

Pump kicks in an out very fast after doing that it slows some then eventually get slower than stops

On 2017-08-12 by Mack

Low water pressure I noticed that there is leak on the pipe the switch is on will this cause it to loose pressure

On 2017-07-30 by charles mizzi

I notice that my pressure was running on and of like a clock ticking. i use the well only for the sprinkers

On 2017-07-30 by Shirley

Woke up this morning and no water. we have been watering and we left a springler running over night. Got up this morning and no water.
We live out in the country on our own well.

On 2017-07-30 by Shirley

Woke up this morning and no water. we have been watering and we left a springler running over night. Got up this morning and no water.
We live out in the country on our own well.

On 2017-07-24 by (mod) -

Chuck,

That should be no problem

On 2017-07-24 by (mod) -

Vincent

The most common cause of the problem you describe is a Plumbing Leak or running toilet.

You can confirm whether that is the problem by turning off water into the building between the water tank and the building that it supplies.

If the pump cycling stops you know the problem is in the building.

If the pump cycling continues then you suspect a leak in well piping or a bad foot valve.

On 2017-07-22 by vincentmbatia@gmail.com

Hi? I got a problem with my pressure control pump. When I switch it on, it runs for some time, go off, on again. It continues to go on off for as long as power is on. What could be the problem and how can I sort it out? Please ur help is highly appreciated

On 2017-07-22 by Chuck

I thank you for that info i was only going to bring it out like 4 to 6 inches so that the switch does not hit the tank and the shut off will be after the switch

On 2017-07-22 by (mod) -

Chuck,

As long as your switch is close to the tank say within even a few feet it will work perfectly fine.

It needs to be able to sense the system pressure and there needs to be no shut off or blockage between the pressure control switch and the tank and pump it it's controlling

On 2017-07-22 by Chuck

I have a problem going to put in a bladder tank and all new connection for my well but I got everything together and went to put the pump switch on and

I can't it hits the bladder tank so I was wondering if I can use angle connections like two 90 degree angles to bring it away from the tank and if it would cause any issues that would cause the switch to not work right

On 2017-07-16 by (mod) -

Hans

Is there power to the pump and switch?

See PRESSURE SWITCH WON'T TURN PUMP ON

On 2017-07-16 by Hans

Preeure switch dont switch on and of

On 2017-07-14 by Roy

changed out pressure switch got all back together pump wont turn on but lift lever slightly it will but if I lift it all the way up it will trip and cut off

On 2017-07-06 by Native

I put a new water pump and pressure service and my pressure switch doesn't turn my water pump on I have to do it manually

On 2017-07-04 by (mod) -

Jim, please see your question and our reply at https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Pump_Runs_On.php

On 2017-07-04 by Jim

:
Help.... pressure switch won't kick on and when you manually start it ..it won't shut off.. the other issue is pressure switch set to shut off at 50psi and goes to 90psi and the pump continues to run... we have replaced the switch which new switch is set at 30psi on 50psi off and it continues to do the same thing ...

On 2017-07-04 by (mod) -

No. That sounds as if your system has a short cycling or Rapid Cycling problem. Perhaps the pressure tank is waterlogged.

On 2017-07-03 by Jan

After new switch is in, should it be clicking all the time?

On 2017-07-04 by (mod) - pressure switch won't turn on and won't turn off if we force it on

Jim, please see your question and our reply at https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Pump_Runs_On.php

On 2017-07-04 by Jim:

Help. pressure switch won't kick on and when you manually start it ..it won't shut off.. the other issue is pressure switch set to shut off at 50psi and goes to 90psi and the pump continues to run... we have replaced the switch which new switch is set at 30psi on 50psi off and it continues to do the same thing

This is our second set of Q&A on this topic. The first question and answer set is at WATER PUMP CONTROL SWITCH REPAIR FAQs.

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Continue reading at WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIRS - topic home or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• PUMP PRIME, REPEATED LOSS of if you can't keep the pump primed
• WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home
  • MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS - If your water supply is from a city or municipal water system
  • WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE - succinct guide to pump & well problem causes & cures
  • WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES
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• WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES - home
• WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIRS
• WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE - home

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WATER PUMP CONTROL SWITCH REPAIR FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

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