Water Pump Pressure Switch Noise FAQs

Q&A on diagnosing Humming, Clicking at the pump pressure control

Water Pump Control Switch Clicking Noise Q&A

Tip: See the diagnosis and repair procedure at CLICKING PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH

Other sources of clicking noises in buildings are described at CLICKING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE - sources of clicking noises in buildings

What Clicking Noises are Normal at the Well Pump Control?

Just replaced well water pump ...was doing fine for a couple of days then I heard clicking for some time now no water what could it be On 2017-08-02 by Deb

Explanation by (mod) - It's normal to hear a click when a relay opens or closes.

It's normal to hear a click when a relay opens or closes.

If your water pump is submerged in the well (so you can't hear the pump motor) you may just hear the relay clicks

If the relay clicks repeatedly there are several possible causes such as

- burned points

- valve closed between pump and tank or

- dirty water filter downstream from pump

- waterlogged pressure tank

 

Well pump relay keeps clicking clicking clicking

I have a Flotec FP4012 water pump that I installed myself.

It filled the water tank and I had water in the house, but after it filled the tank it would keep clicking. would click so i shut it off and put the old pump back in any help or idea would be great thanks jim - James Duham3el 6/2/12

Reply:

It sounds like a bad pressure switch or clogged sensor port on the switch body

Water pressure gauge always says there is 50 psi, pump keeps turning on and off

My pressure gauge always says there is 50 psi in the tank, no matter what. But the well pump is short cycling.

Reply: stuck gauge - replace it

Lisa, first, you have a bad pressure gauge. Second, you have a bad pressure tank. Turn the power to the well off, drain all water from the tank, and then check the air in the bladder.

It should be 2 psi below the cut-in pressure of the pressure switch (38 psi for a 40/60 switch).

If it is very low, and I'm sure it will be, you can add air to it to try and get by for a while but you are only delaying the inevitable. The low air in the bladder is taking away from your draw down, or the amount of water you can draw before your pump cycles back on.

Replace your pressure tank and your gauge so you can see what your water pressure is in the future. Also, a pump that constantly cycles on and off when youre running water will not last.

This is the whole point behind having a pressure tank rather than just letting the pump send water to your faucets directly each time you open one. Hope this helps if you haven't already figured this all out.

After replacing pump and pressure tank the pump switch keeps clicking

The relay switch on water pressure device clicking when water is being used why and what is the fix please. - Anon 9/30/12

i replace my pump and pressure tank. but when i turn on my water. i here the pressure switch go click click click non stop when i turn on water - Jerry 11/16/12

Reply:

Jerry,

Watch out: If the clicking pressure switch is switching the pump on and off very rapidly, say every second, TURN THE PUMP CIRCUIT OFF immediately to avoid damaging the equipment.

Then check WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH CHATTER where we explain causes of a control switch that turns on and off extremely rapidly, usually at the start or end of a pump-on cycle.

Then see WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES where we explain why a pump might turn on and off rapidly while water is being run in the building.

Check for a clogged water filter, a water valve that should be open is closed, or a waterlogged preside tank

Anon:

It is normal for the relay switch to "click" on and off when you are running water continuously. It's a sound that folks don't notice if the swithc is right next to a (noisy) well pump, but when the well pump is submersible (located in the well) the pressure control switch click may be about all you hear.

If the pump control relay clicking sound is rapid -

see WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home.

If the click occurs say once every 30 seconds, that's normal. It's the pump switching on and off as pressure falls and rises.

Why does the water pump switch click when we're not running water?

Should the water pressure control switch click when water is not in use? On 2016-08-23 by debi

New switch but clicks all time even when water is off. - On 2018-10-10 by Janet

Explanation by (mod): here's where to get the complete diagnosis and repair procedure

Debi

Except that if the pump was running when you stopped using water you might hear the switch click once when the cut-off pressure is reached.

If your actual well pump motor is down in the well (a submsersible pump) , when the pressure control turns the pump ON or OFF you'll hear the relay click - no other noise, or maybe also a sound of water entering the water tank.

If your switch is turning on and off for no apparent reason then either there's a leak somewhere in the well piping or a leaky check valve, or water is running somewhere in the house that you haven't noticed, such as a running toilet.

Please read WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING  for complete diagnosis and repair steps

Causes Clicking noises at the water pump, switch, tank + no water!

When a water tank make clicking noises and no water comes out of the fauset, means what? On 2015-11-15 by stew

by Anonymous

Please see the

Clicking pressure switch discussion in the article WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES and let me know if questions remain

Water pump clicks like it wants to come on but then pump just hums.

My water pump clicks like it wants to come on but then pump just hums. I changes out the pressure switch and thought that was it but still same thing.

When pump tries to come on, if I hit the end of pump really hard with screwdriver and something similar it usually comes on but only works for a little while and then goes off again. Could it be capacitor going bad or something else? On 2016-09-06 by robert

Reply by (mod): turn off the system and call for repair

When the pump motor hums but won't start, the motor or impeller assembly has failed or is jammed and needs replacement or repair.

Watch out: to avoid overheating and even a possible electrical fire it would be best to turn off power to the pump and leave it off, then call for repair.

See the diagnosis and repair advice for humming electric motors given

at ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS

How do we fix cause of rapid clicking pressure switch and lights blinking

Pulling my hair out we have a rapid clicking in the pressure switch at the water tank It causes the lights downstairs to blink as well.. we have pulled the well out .. we had to replace the pump not long ago.. we checked all the water lines for leaks tightened all the connections...

Troubleshooting without a new pressure switch.. we bought a new valve.. its clicking and the lights blink rapidly..b we have a 2040 switch but it only runs up to 30 before it cuts off..

we have done everything I could read other than replace the tank but it seems the tank is holding pressure..

now we have a pulsating of water throughout house.. as if it is surging... please help I've spent so much money I can't afford a plumber at this point again On 2019-05-27 by Dana

by (mod) - rapid clicking at the pressure switch

Have you checked for a waterlogged pressure tank?

See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home - for diagnosis and repair

Water Pump Control Switch Humming Noise Q&A

Other sources of humming noises in buildings are at HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS

Fluctuating humming noise until the pump turns ON!

I have a constant straining fluctuating humming noise in the house, originating from the well and traveling through the pipes.

The noise is on even with no power to the house.

While the pump is running, the noise ceases. There is no noise while top pressure of 60 psi is maintained.

After a very short time the pressure start drolli g slowly, and when it goes under 40, the noise re-starts. The pressure drops slower if I isolate the house from the water tank. I do

have water, there was no need to prime the pump. It is a Gould's three stage jet pump on a 62 years old well that is 365 feet deep.

I was told it is a bad foot valve or leaky pipes inside of the well - not worthy to attempt the repair.

Having a new well drilled for $8,200.

Thoughts?

I was wondering are there any tricks to get the foot valve working again - if it is a clog ... On 2018-01-12 by Susan Lazar

Disagnosis & suggestions by (mod) -

Susan

See HUMMING PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH for our diagnosis and repair advice of humming noises at the pump control switch.

If all electrical power to the building is off then I would not expect the well pump to be running and I would not expect any of its components, electrical or mechanical, to be a source of noise.

I speculate that there is a leaky foot valve or check valve (or a leaky well pipe) and that maybe you're hearing water flowing backwards into the well from the pressure tank when the pump is off.

In my OPINION it sounds remarkably strange to claim that you should drill a new well and install all new well equipment if the actual problem is a bad foot valve.

You ought to be able to pull well piping, replace foot valve, replace any questionable piping, and even replace a pump and pressure tank for a fraction of the cost of drilling a new well, and that's *before* eating the risk that after $8200. of your well drilling quote you haven't reached an adequate water flow and have to keep drilling deeper, for a deeper dig into your pockets.

For a well expert to tell you it's not worth replacing a bad foot valve (the part is typically less than $20. U.S. there must be a mystery here that we don't understand.

Pump Control Switch Buzzing Noise Q&A & Warnings

What causes buzzing in a Webtrol control box for our water pump?

Water stopped coming through the faucet the other day.

Notice the Webtrol control box for the well pump has a buzzing sound that comes about every15-30 seconds then stops. The control switch (not the control box) on what i believe to be the bladder looks somewhat burned out, but not really sure how to test if its still working or not.

With the cold weather i had been letting the watter run a slow drip on the faucets, i am gessing I burnt out the control switch by doing this? My guess about the buzz from the control box is its just telling me something isnt working properly in the system.

I am a DIY as much as possible but havent really looked into replacing a control switch yet and not sure if that is where i should start. Unfortunately the house was a forclosure and no back story on the well system. On 2017-01-14 by Justin

by (mod) -

Justin:

Usually buzzing in a control box like the one you describe by Webtrol means that a low voltage transformer or more likely a relay switch is failing or has failed. I'd replace the control or at the least, if possible the buzzing relay.

Details of diagnosis and repair are at BUZZING PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH

Watch out for electrocution - death by shock - if you're not trained in electrical repair, get help from a licensed electrician.

Nonstop buzzing from the water pump

Really loud buzzing or humming sound coming from the water pump, the noise is continuous for past 6 hours . What can I do? On 2016-10-12 by Colin

by (mod) - warning about nonstop buzzing at an electrical component

Watch out you are describing a failed electrical component: either the pump motor or its control or an electrical connection. To avoid a fire or shock hazard you should turn off the equipment and get an electrician on site.

I have no water coming into house and the pump control is buzzing

hi my name is andy I have no water coming into house, when I cut the power on I hear a buzzing noise coming from a box under the house and no power is coming threw the grey box, how can I get water back in my house please help andy On 2014-05-26

Suggestion by (mod) -

Andy

From just your note I can't tell if the problem is that the pressure switch has failed or if the pump motor has failed and the switch is buzzing trying to turn on the pump.

And if this is a deep well with a submersible pump in the well there may be a second relay that actually turns on the pump.

Watch out: leaving a buzzing pump control with a pump not working risks an electrical fire.

I would turn the system off -electrical switch - and get some help from an electrician or plumber familiar with pumps and controls. Keep us posted.