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Photograph of Photograph of a water pump pressure control switch with the cover offWater Pump Control Repair FAQs-2
Q&A on fixing the water pump cut-in & cut-out pressure control switch

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Water pump control switch repair questions & answers:

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.

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FAQs on how to diagnose & fix or replace a bad water pump pressure switch

Photograph of Photograph of a water pump pressure control switch adjustment instructions

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

Watch out: SAFETY WARNING OF FATAL SHOCK HAZARD: There are live electrical contacts exposed inside the pressure control switch. 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 2018-11-18 by (mod) - gauge pressure reading jumps

First make an independent measure of water pressure. Tell me what you see.

See also WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY

On 2018-11-16 by Anonymous

The whole system works, in that with pressure in the tank water comes out everywhere it should. As nearly as I can tell, all outlets have been bled.
My problem:

when the pump comes on the pressure gage immediately jumps to just under cut off pressure, then sticks there, even though the pump keeps running.

On my three other systems the pressure goes up gradually, then cuts off at the right pressure. I'm not a pro, but I've been installing my own and neighbors' water pressure systems for 30 years. This one has me stumped.

On 2018-08-14 by (mod) -

If you have hot water at the faucet and not cold, and if you have cold water elsewhere, I figure that the valve that you closed is broken - it may have closed, but when you tried to re-open it, perhaps the shaft turns but the valve isn't opening. Check that you have hot and cold everywhere else.

On 2018-08-14 by Shayna

Hello. I have a single wide on well water. My water pressure was working fine, no problems. Then my kitchen faucet started leaking and gradually got worse, temporarily I turned the cold side off and the leak stopped. When I turned it back on the water pressure didn't return. What are some things I can try to pinpoint the problem?

On 2018-07-29 by (mod) -

If the contacts on the pressure control switch relay are closed and power is being delivered to the terminals that Supply power to the pump, and if the pump is not running then you would suspect the problem is the pump or its wiring.

Watch out, because if you're not familiar with electrical wiring and how to do these tests safely you could be shocked or killed. In that case you should not even try you should hire an electrician.

On 2018-07-29 by Jared

How do I test to see if my pump is out or if my pressure switch is out

On 2018-07-01 by (mod) -

Anon

I wouldn't do that - you could be shocked or killed.

If when you have opened a faucet to draw water the water pump runs only when you are forcing the relay closed then I suspect the pressure control switch is not responding to a change in water pressure. I'd start by replacing the switch and being sure that there is no clogging in the pipe or tube that brings water pressure to the switch to let it sense the system pressure.

On 2018-07-01 by Anonymous

have not worked right after power went off

On 2018-07-01 by darrell

got water only when i start points with srewdriver

On 2018-06-20 by (mod) -

thanks for the update. If you find the problem continuing that's going to support my speculation that the problem is a loss of prime and a leaky check valve or foot valve.

On 2018-06-19 by Jim


Thanks for the advice. I released the pressure and turned off the electricity to the pump. Ordered a pressure switch online and small pipe that attaches it to the back flow valve.

On 2018-06-12 by (mod) -

Kenneth

The lever you describe maybe at pump protection switch a feature on some controls that prevents the pump from continuing to run if there is no water being delivered. That's to avoid burning up the pump.

I suspect you need to reprime your well and if you lose Prime again you can figure you got a leaky foot valve or well pipe that needs to be repaired.

On 2018-06-12 by Kenneth

Bought and installed Square D, 30-50, pressure switch. Worked fine for a few minutes than lost all power and pressure. New switch has small lever and when I flipped it up power and pressure came back on. My question what is the function of the lever? The old switch did not have one. thanks

On 2018-06-11 by (mod) -

Jim

watch out:

turn the pump off immediately and Rain pressure from the system. So it's high pressures are dangerous. A pipe conversed or water pressure tank can burst causing not only a flood but an injury to someone who is nearby.

Probably the same problem that cause your pressure gauge not to work Has filed the pressure control switch. Often debris or silt in the water supply clogs the sensor port on the pressure gauge and similarly clogs the pressure sensor opening on the bottom of the pressure control switch. You need to replace the switch and make sure that any tubing or small diameter pipe that conducts water pressure to the switch is not blocked.

On 2018-06-11 16:17:06.415024 by Jim

For the past six months or so my water well pressure gauge has not worked. I replaced it yesterday and the cut-out occurred at over 100lbs - should be around 50 or so. My first thought was the problem is with the new gauge, but i cycled the pump on again and noticed that the pump ran longer than normal before cutting-off at over 100lbs.

The gauge numbers stop at 100 and based on the alignment of the numbers, the cut-out is around 150lbs. - WOW. Is that even possible. I have a three horse pump and the pipes coming from the manifold are galvanized. The pressure switch is original (2001) and have cleaned the contacts on several past occasions.

On 2018-06-04 by (mod) -

a common cause of the problem you described is a pressure switch that is debris clogged and not sensing a change in water pressure. The Simple Solution is to replace the switch.

On 2018-06-04 by Dave Johnson

Our water pressure switch doesn't seem to kick in when it should causing low water pressure. How can I fix that?

On 2018-05-08 by (mod) -

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.


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