Well water pump keeps running: diagnostic FAQs:

This article provides answers to frequently-asked questions about why a well pump, water pump, or irrigation pump might run continuously without reaching the cut-off pressure and without turning off.

FAQs on Why a Water Pump Won't Stop Running

Questions & answers about well pumps that won't stop running, posted originally

at WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING - home page for this topic.

Be sure to see the troubleshooting and repair advice given there.

On 2020-12-31 - by (mod) - pump keeps running and gauge reads 0 psi

Jessica

Watch out: Turn off the pump immediately since running the pump dry can damage it.

If the problem is that your well has run out of water then waiting a few hours will diagnose that because you will probably be able to turn the pump on and have water again for a Time.

If you're living in a location that is currently very cold it's also possible that you were well pipe or another water pipe has frozen.

You read above on this page additional details of diagnosing and fixing the problem you describe

On 2020-12-30 by Jessica Ellsworth

My pump is continuously running and pressure gage says 0can you help me

On 2020-12-19 - by (mod) -

Larry

The cause of the problem you describe is most-likely one of those listed above on this page. Please give that a shot.

On 2020-12-19 by Larry Whitt

But will only go up to so to amount of pressure won't go no higher than 30 pump keeps running and you have to back off the screw for the points for it to shut off and then it's weak pressure

On 2020-12-19 - by (mod) -

Larry

The cause of the problem you describe is most-likely one of those listed above on this page. Please give that a shot.

On 2020-12-19 3 by Larry Whitt

But will only go up to so to amount of pressure won't go no higher than 30 pump keeps running and you have to back off the screw for the points for it to shut off and then it's weak pressure

On 2020-12-05 - by (mod) -

Bob:

The explanation for why the pump won't shut off is probably one of those listed in the diagnostics on the page above.

I'd start by being sure the pump is well below the water level;
I'd check the voltage level and then the pump current draw against the pump's data specifications;
If those don't indicate trouble and
if you're confident there's no leak in well piping,
then
you may then need to pull the pump to check for a clogged or damaged impeller.

On 2020-12-05 by Bob

I have a deep well pump that I had to replace the pressure switch and some pipes on. I purged the system of air. 30-50 pressure switch. It turns on when the pressure reaches 30 lbs but will not build more than 40 lbs so the.pump keeps running.

On 2020-10-24 - by (mod) -

Johnny

Try stepping through the causes listed above on this page as those are the most common and that's more complete than an off-the-cuff reply here.

Let me know what you think.

On 2020-10-24 by Johnny

Water pump continues to run and pump water but will not build pressure above 25psi. Shut off valve coming from pump is off and pump is new. Casing appears to be 3 or 4in pvc and pump is 1hp deepwell vertical pump

On 2020-10-17 03:14:47.579224 - by (mod) -

Not likely,

Is the pump won't stop running see the diagnostics in this table

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pressure_Table.php

On 2020-10-17 by r rice

will a bad bladder cause a well pump to run all the time

On 2020-10-14 - by (mod) -

Maria


Let's start by asking you to take a look at the diagnostic suggestions above on this page. When a pump won't stop running those steps can help get to the cause and cure.

On 2020-10-14 by Maria

Hi, pressure pump is always running, it does not stop.

On 2020-05-28 - by (mod) -

Robert,

When a pump can't reach shut-off pressure it's usually one of the problems listed above on this page.

Also see our discussion of this problem at WATER PRESSURE BOOSTER PUMP

On 2020-05-28 by Robert

Replaced a noisy 3/4 Flotec with same model # and voltage. Old well had 40/60 shut off and had no problem holing the 60 lbs.

New well pump is 30/50 shut off but cannot reach over 40 lbs so pump would never shut off. When I shut it off manually it holds the 40 lbs on pressure gauge.

Checked bladder tank and it has proper air pressure.

Reconnected to all same pipe on fittings since pump was same model. Why do you think I cannot build up the pressure with the new pump?

On 2020-05-24 - by (mod) - key "water pump runs-on" diagnostic details

Sim

thank you for those some key "water pump runs-on" diagnostic details; they summarize nicely. I'll be sure to keep it with the article.

However I don't entirely agree with your service tech who says that most of the time when a pump "runs on" it's because of debris in the impeller. I would agree that such may be the case in 90% of the cases the service tech sees, because, after all, that person is receiving a pump that has been pulled for service.

Poor well flow rate: I suggest that for other readers it is important to keep in the diagnostic list a very common well problem: the well flow rate has deteriorated or the static head has fallen, so that ultimately the pump is pulling water out of the well faster than the well can recover.

That case splits into two courses.

1. A well pump protection system, either an electrical device or a tailpiece in the well is coping with the low flow problem and protects the pump from running dry and burning up, but the result is the pump runs but little or no water is delivered.

2. There is no well pump protection system in place, the pump runs dry, destroys an internal bearing or impeller, and after that even when the well recovers the pump can't reach cutoff pressure or stops delivering water entirely.

For those reasons it's important to keep in the checklist the need to review the water level in the well and the well's flow rate.

Thank you again for the helpful diagnostic summary.

On 2020-05-24 by simcoesam

looking to help others so will go through my process, switch had been ify for awhile so I replaced that first,

I had water so it meant I had prime, turn on tap no sputtering or banging so I assumed no air getting into system, pulled off air supply line to pump switch and made sure it was not clogged, unplugged pump for 12 hours

and still had same pressure showing on pressure gauge so I assumed no underground leaks and foot valve was good,

using 1500 gallon holding tank so I knew no well issues as I don't have one, service tech said 9 times out of 10 it ends up being debris in the pump

On 2020-05-24 - by (mod) - pump had debris in it and cracked seal

Sim

Did the seal replacement on your pump require disassembly of the pump motor?

And is it possible that debris enter the pump and jammed the impeller?

On 2020-05-24 by simcoesam

pump had debris in it and cracked seal, service centre replaced seal and cleaned out debris ($125), pump ran fine for 1 day then overheated and burnt out, pump was a 20 yr old Berkley

On 2020-05-20 - by (mod) -

Those are helpful pump diagnosis ideas thank you

I have occasionally seen debris inside the impeller that would prevent the pump from delivering its rated pressure. Or the pillar could actually be damaged. Let me know what you find is that will be helpful to other readers.

On 2020-05-19 by Anonymous

well and pump service stores opened up today so called a couple and both say sounds like a problem with the pump , either a plugged venturi or a worn out impeller so I am taking it in tomorrow to get serviced

On 2020-05-19 by Anonymous

I am sorry but I posted wrong info on switch wiring, the original was

L1 white wire from power supply
T1 red wire from pump motor

T2 white from pump motor
L2 black from power supply and everything was fine for 20 years, the electrical store I bought the switch from wired it

L1 red from pump
T1 black from power supply

T2 white from power supply
L2 white from pump motor so everything switched around everywhere I have read on the web the 2 power leads go in L1 and L2 the 2 wires from pump motor T1 and T2 should it not blow a breaker?

On 2020-05-18 by Anonymous

I have to have it delivered

On 2020-05-18 - by (mod) -

OK so how does water get into the holding tank?

On 2020-05-17 by Anonymous

I am working through the list but don't have a well I have a holding tank so I assume no reduced flow rate, pump doesn't loose pressure once unplugged

so I assume no leak no bad foot valve,

I have water so I assume pump is primed properly and not sucking air, when I turn on tap water comes out with no sputtering

so again I assume no air getting into system, no water left running in building, air tube removed and blown out, new pump switch, new pressure gauge,

on the old switch it was wired

white wire from power source terminal #1,

red from pump motor #2,

white from pump motor #3

black from power source #4

but I took my power cord with me when I bought the new switch and an electrician at the store wired it and he reversed the black and white from power source and said just connect the 2 wires from the pump motor to the other 2 terminals and it doesn't matter which goes where, I put them back where they were but I am wondering if he reversed the 2 power supply wires should I have also reversed the 2 pump motor wires?

Do all switches get wired the same or could it be different switch different wire set up? I don't understand why he reversed them and I am VERY nervous of hydro and concerned about damaging the pump ( or me!) ,

I thought if you put black where white should go and white where black should go it goes bang and blows a breaker (or worse) .

With a pump switch does it not matter where the wires go from an electrical point of view, I am thinking of just changing the wires around but not sure if I am safe to do so

On 2020-04-18 - by (mod) - after we’ve used any water at all the pump will run and turn on constantly which is turn causes tv to turn off and on by itself as well as all lights on in the house

Kody

Let me emphasize that I do not know quite what's happening at your rental home and cannot reliably diagnose this problem by text posts alone. However what you describe sounds dangerous.

Any electrical problem: flashing lights, intermittent loss of power, is a potential fire, shock, injury or even fatality risk that needs to be addressed promptly.

The safe thing to do in a building with such events is to turn OFF the mis-behaving electrical circuit and call for help from a licensed electrician.

When use of water seems to be connected to electrical power problems there are several possible causes, at least some of which are dangerous. This cannot be the entire list as as I"ve said I know too little about your situation.

- a water leak in the plumbing supply system may be wetting and short-circuiting electrical switches, controls, equipment

- a pump may be running too long, too hot, dry (well is running out of water - can happen on a shallow or deep well), damaged, short-cycling due to a pressure tank saturation, or an improper pressure control installation, setting, or condition; an electrical overload (pump draws excessive current) for any reason (such as a failing motor bearing or a short circuit) can cause other circuits in the building to dim or flicker.

If there are short circuits and / or an electrical overload and circuit breakers or fuses are not turning off the electrical circuits involved, there is an additional risk of building fire or shock.

As I point out, without an expert on site the speculation above serves only to give a clear warning that the building may have unsafe conditions risking fire or shock and that prompt attention is needed.

You need an onsite expert - probably a licensed electrician as well as a pump or plumbing expert.

Notify your landlord both in writing and orally of these risks.

Keep me posted - what we learn may help others.

On 2020-04-18 by Kody and Brooke

Hi there! Thanks so much for all this great and helpful information!! We’re renting and there is a well pump .

LL says it’s a very deep well and the crazy amounts of water that keep our entire backyard sipping wet seens to us that something is wrong .

It’s a constant steady stream of water, anytime we use water in the house (I.E; to wash laundry, run sinks, take shower, dish washer , water from fridge , etc.) the lights in the house and anything electrical plugged in like TV or microwave will turn off and on!

For hours after we’ve used any water at all the pump will run and turn on constantly which is turn causes tv to turn off and on by itself as well as all lights on in the house . Even if it’s something as simple as flushing the toilet it will do this. Have you ever seen or heard of anything like this?

The signs on the actual pump house says it is a shallow well. It’s a very old house built in 1925 but remodeled . You may email us at busymommab619@icloud.com if you wouldn’t mind ! Thanks so much!

On 2020-04-14 - by (mod) - water pressure dropped considerably & the well pump is running continuously

Helen

Unfortunately when the pump is running continuously the problem could be a switch that's not sensing pressure properly but in that case the pressure in the water system would go above the CUT OFF pressure set on the switch (say over 40 psi).

But when your switch cannot reach the cut-out pressure - which is the case you describe - the problem is not the switch, it's instead one of the causes listed above on this page, among which most common are a well that's running out of water, a leak in the piping system, or a pump that's damaged and can no longer reach higher pressures (less likely).

Give a call to your plumbing company service manager, ask for a more-experienced plumber who is experienced with well and pump problems, or call someone else if they don't have anyone who can do more than what they already tried.

Also take a look at the common causes, given above on this page, for a well pump that keeps on running and is unable to reach its cutoff pressure. That will give you some background to help make sense out of what your onsite plumber or well expert finds and explains.

Keep me posted on how this goes and I may be able to offer other comments.

On 2020-04-13 by Helen

The water pressure dropped considerably & the well pump is running continuously so I unplugged it & called in a service person to look at it. They replaced the switch on the well pump but that didn’t fix the problem.

The pressure tank goes up to 39 psi but won’t reach 40 psi and I am told that’s why the pump keeps running. Once it gets to 40 psi it should turn off. I don’t know what to do as the company that came out to service the well pump only works on the plumbing side of it. What should I do?

On 2020-04-12 - by (mod) -

it varies widely by local conditions, 1 - 40 years

On 2020-04-12 by momofthree13

The pump has been in continuous use for 23yrs. The foot valve was changed approx 10yrs ago. What's the average life span?

On 2020-04-12 - by (mod) - A bad foot valve may explain loss of prime

A bad foot valve may explain loss of prime but if you're sure the pump is properly primed and it cannot deliver water then the pump or its impeller may be damaged, or there may be an air leak in piping.

On 2020-04-12 by momofthree13

We have a jet pump for a shallow well. The pump starts and has been primed. However, we still can't get any water to come up. Does this sound like a faulty foot valve?

On 2020-03-14 - by (mod) -

Jeanie

Did you call your well man to ask him to return and finish the job?

On 2020-03-14 by jeanie

had no water called well man he hooked pitcher pump to pipe and got water hooked pump back up no water, bought new pump again now water, new piping still no water

Reader Kudos: U.S.A., Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, U.K. readers welcomed

(Nov 18, 2012) Ruairi Dunne said:

Every now and then you find a gem of a website and this is one. I work in maintenance and have recently encountered pump problems with different specialists with different suggestions and solutions but no resolution. I'm hoping with access to my new pump bible I'll get answers and solutions. Antecipate my frequent requests for help. Cheers from Portugal

Reply:

Rialto,

Thank you for the nice comment. We work hard to provide accurate, unbiasd information. Any questions or content suggestions you may have will help us in that objective.

(Aug 10, 2012) Frank said:

Excellent website!! Great source of information, written in a clear, easy to understand manner. Was able to troubleshoot a problem myself and save lots of money by not having to call in a plumber. Thank you!!

Reply:

Frank, thanks so much for the nice comment. We work hard to provide clear and accurate information, without any bias. It's really gratifying to hear that our info was helpful. We also welcome questions from readers as that helps us figure out where more research and information are needed.

Thanks again, Daniel (editor)

There is a variety of methods for well pump protection to avoid burning up a pump that runs-on for any reason.

• Some pump pressure switches or pump relay switches include sophisticated diagnostics that monitor the pump operation, water pressure, flow rate or the current drawn by the pump in order to detect low water, pump short cycling or other problems that can ruin a well pump.
  See
  PUMP CONTROL STATUS INDICATORS for some examples.
• See WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCHES
• And
  See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLE STOP VALVE

On 2020-01-26 by (mod) -

Ryan could you clarify the question?

On 2020-01-26 by Ryan

How do u know when the pump house bad tho

On 2020-01-23 by (mod) -

Damen

My best-organized diagnostic steps for a pump that can't reach the cut-off pressure are on this page;

The fact that pressure falls immediately to zero suggests an open leak in the well piping or bad foot valve or maybe even the pump sucking air in through a piping leak.

Please review the page and the let me know what you think or want to ask

On 2020-01-23 by Damen

I just replaced my well pump and for some reason when I turn it on it will build up to roughly 30 psi but won't build up Any higher and the pump won't shut off unless I do it manually and when I do love it off the pressure doesn't hold it drops straight back to zero anyone have any ideas

On 2020-01-16 by Elaine

Have a two line water pump and it just builds up to 22 lb and won’t shut off but does not lose that pressure when it turned off over night any ideas on what problem could be

On 2021-01-13 - by (mod) - low well flow, pump keeps on running

Barbara

Watch out: do NOT try to adjust the pressure control switch while the pump is running - as you could be shocked or killed.

You'll need to turn off electrical power to the circuit to be able to open the pressure control switch to adjust it.

But I would not rush to change the pressure control switch if it was already set to normal settings like CUT-in 20 PSI CUT-OUT 40 psi

or 30/50 psi.

Instead, I'd want to know why the pump can't reach that cut-off pressure.

See the diagnostics at

PUMP NEVER STOPS

On 2021-01-13 by Barbara Searle

I have well water. Water table is high. I have low water pressure resulting in the well pressure switches preset cut in and out settings not coinciding with my well pumps out put.

This causes the well pressure switch to never cutting out and remaining in the open position. So its constantly running. I have replaced the well tank and switch. So my question is can I adjust the cut out settings while its running?

If so will the switch close when the screw is turned.

By being able to do this it will take the mental guesswork out of the equation.

Same as if I was manually setting a timer.

This Q&A were posted originally

at WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS

On 2020-01-13 by (mod) -

I'm not sure whether the problem is with the pump itself or more likely a lack of water in your well. The most orderly approach to answering this question is Step through the Diagnostics given in the article above on this page. Please take a look and let me know what you think.

On 2020-01-13 by Ted charters

Pressure switch stays on and control box clicks but pump isnt pressuring over 30 psi and no water coming out of tsps in house

On 2019-11-15 by (mod) -

Anon

Almost certainly the cause for the pump not reaching the cut-off pressure will be one of those listed in the table above at

What to Check if the Well Pump Will Not Stop Running

I'd step through those one by one.

Let me know what you find.

On 2019-11-15 by Anonymous

@Gord,
That's what's happening in our system not building enough pressure in tank to shut the air tank or pump off and on why. Thank you

On 2019-10-28 by (mod) -

Pkease tell me the poo ump brand and model or attach a photo.

Pissibly its overheated or the well has run out.

Wait 30 minutes snd retry.

On 2019-10-28 by BLESSED

my pressure pump with a float switch,indicates failure,when i press the reset button it indicates pump on but when i release the reset button it stops running

On 2019-10-23 by (mod) -

Doc

Let's start by taking a look through the causes of the condition you described as they are indeed given in the article above on this page. Please take a look there and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions.

On 2019-10-23 by Docb5257

It was always working fine for at least two months now now it's only reaching 40 lb PSI and it was running 40/60 the bladder is set at 38 lbs and the pump constantly runs it will not build any pressure any ideas it's brand new it's only 3 months old

On 2019-10-19 by (mod) -

The most likely causes for your pump running without shutting off and not building pressure are listed in the article above on this page. Please take a look and let me know if you have any further questions.

On 2019-10-18 by Gord

Water pump keeps running but will not build pressure in tank

 

On 2020-09-03 - by (mod) -

Mike

Let's start with a look at the article above where we list the commom causes of a pump that runs on.

On 2020-08-30 by Mike

I’ve got a shallow well pump with a 30/50 pressure switch. I’ve got a bladder tank set to 28 psi as recommended. When I turn on the pump, pressure builds to exactly 28 psi and just continues running without increasing or decreasing. I’ve replaced the pressure switch already. Any ideas on what is wrong? Pump mfg says it’s the tank and the tank mfg says it’s the pump.

On 2020-08-16 by Linda

Could the pump burnt up in the back of the tank is completely black rusty on the bottom there is no water in it at all what can I do ,my pump will not turn on

The toilet kept running and we didn’t know it so now we have no water at all I tried to turn the pump off for 3hours and just turned it back on but still no water

On 2020-08-01 by Ricardo morales

I bought a new pressure tank switch. When installed and run the pump the gauge register 20 psi the motor pump still running and the pressure is not increasing so I off the switch for fear it might burst and damage tank. What are things to be done.

On 2020-06-17 - by (mod) -

Brandon, my best guess is one of the causes listed above.

On 2020-06-16 by Brandon

My jet pump is running and all primed up but I can not get over 10 lbs of pressure and not enough to get water into house

On 2020-05-28 - by (mod) -

Robert,

Please see our discussion of this problem at WATER PRESSURE BOOSTER PUMP

https://inspectapedia.com/water/Water_Pressure_Booster_Pumps.php

On 2020-05-28 by Robert

Replaced a noisy 3/4 Flotec with same model # and voltage. Old well had 40/60 shut off and had no problem holing the 60 lbs. New well pump is 30/50 shut off but cannot reach over 40 lbs so pump would never shut off. When I shut it off manually it holds the 40 lbs on pressure gauge.

Checked bladder tank and it has proper air pressure. Reconnected to all same pipe on fittings since pump was same model. Why do you think I cannot build up the pressure with the new pump?

On 2020-05-24 by (mod) - 9 times out of 10 it ends up being debris in the pump

Sim

thank you for those some key "water pump runs-on" diagnostic details; they summarize nicely. I'll be sure to keep it with the article.

However I don't entirely agree with your service tech who says that most of the time when a pump "runs on" it's because of debris in the impeller. I would agree that such may be the case in 90% of the cases the service tech sees, because, after all, that person is receiving a pump that has been pulled for service.

I suggest that for other readers it is important to keep in the diagnostic list a very common well problem: the well flow rate has deteriorated or the static head has fallen, so that ultimately the pump is pulling water out of the well faster than the well can recover.

That case splits into two courses.

1. A well pump protection system, either an electrical device or a tailpiece in the well is coping with the low flow problem and protects the pump from running dry and burning up, but the result is the pump runs but little or no water is delivered.

2. There is no well pump protection system in place, the pump runs dry, destroys an internal bearing or impeller, and after that even when the well recovers the pump can't reach cutoff pressure or stops delivering water entirely.

For those reasons it's important to keep in the checklist the need to review the water level in the well and the well's flow rate.

Thank you again for the helpful diagnostic summary.

On 2020-05-24 by simcoesam

looking to help others so will go through my process,

switch had been ify for awhile so I replaced that first,

I had water so it meant I had prime, turn on tap no sputtering or banging so I assumed no air getting into system,

pulled off air supply line to pump switch and made sure it was not clogged,

unplugged pump for 12 hours and still had same pressure showing on pressure gauge so I assumed no underground leaks and foot valve was good,

using 1500 gallon holding tank so I knew no well issues as I don't have one,

service tech said 9 times out of 10 it ends up being debris in the pump

On 2020-05-24 - by (mod) -

Sim

Did the seal replacement on your pump require disassembly of the pump motor?

And is it possible that debris enter the pump and jammed the impeller?

On 2020-05-24 by simcoesam

pump had debris in it and cracked seal, service centre replaced seal and cleaned out debris ($125), pump ran fine for 1 day then overheated and burnt out, pump was a 20 yr old Berkley

Question: The water pump keeps running and won't shut off, what do I do now?

I lose pressure seconds after turning the well water pump off. When the water pump is running it only gets to 25 to 30 psi and stay srunning all the time. The pump never satisfies pressure switch so I turn the pump off to avoid damaging it. Any idea of what I can do? - Arthur

I live in a mobile home with a point well system (2"). Today the pump kept running while I was sprinkling the garden. It did shut off when I turned the water off. Usually it cycles on & off while the water is running. Any suggestions? - Sharon 9/1/12

Reply:

Arthur and Sharon:

When a well pump keeps on running - just won't stop on its own, you will want to follow the well pump diagnostic steps at WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING.

The cause of a well pump that keeps on running could be any of a number of problems that we list in the reference I gave above, but because you are also losing water pressure, it sounds as if there may be a loss of water supply in the well itself or a serious leak in the well piping.

Question: pump keeps running

(Feb 24, 2012) mike z said:
pumpstill running and have ok pressure

Reply:

See WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

Question: The water pump keeps running and I hear water running, I may have damaged the pressure gauge

I have a 285ft well. Sometimes the pump goes on when no water is being used in the house. Tonight, after running the outside sprinklers, the pump kept going on. When I went to check the guage, I could hear water running. All water was off in the house and outside. I turned off the valve which is between the pipe to the well and the bladder tank and the noise stopped.

What could be leaking? I opened the valve up and the running water noise slowly subsided. I also made the mistake of shutting off that valve before I turned of the pump and the pressure gauge went crazy. After turning everything back on the gauge shows the pump shutting off at 80psi and on at just below 60psi. Always went between 40-60. Did I blow the gauge? - Doug

Reply:

Doug: Indeed the sequence of closing the valve between a water pump and the tank and pressure control switch that control that pump turning on and off will make the pump "go crazy" rapidly turning itself on and off - risking pump damage. If you caught it quickly and turned off the pump you're probably OK. But wild gauge pressure oscillations might have damaged the gauge. If the gauge is not behaving normally just replace it.

See WATER PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY for details.

See INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS for a procedure to figure out why the well pump goes on when no water is being used in the house.

Question: well pump won't shut off - water pump keeps running

(July 5, 2014) sue j said:

We hooked a hose up to our well pump in the basement and we have great pressure but the pump will not shut down it keeps on running until we shut it down we spend more time in the basement turning it on and shutting it off just so we can get water up to the house.we have to fill buckets to use the toilet and its getting frustrating.

(July 21, 2014) ron said:

The pump is not cutting off and the is getting hot some times

(Aug 1, 2014) Lauren said:

My well pump keeps running , My electric bill is through the roof!

Repy

Sue,

At the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of this article please see the article titled

WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

where we suggest some diagnostic steps to find and fix the trouble you report. Keep me posted and let me know if that material is unclear

Ron:

Turn off power, let the well recover for 3-6 hours, then try power on again.

Look also foe piping leaks or a switch cut out pressure set too high.

Lauren

In the More Reading links just above you'll want to read the diagnostics in the article titled

WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

Question: pump runs but no water

(June 23, 2014) Anonymous said:

pump runs but won't pump water?

Reply:

Anon if a pump motor runs but no water is delivered there are several different directions of possible expanation:

no water in the well

Loss of prime in the system

damaged pump impeller or parts

well piping leak or disconnected in the well

Question: well pump runs but water pressure won't get past 30 psi

(Mar 29, 2014) Anonymous said:

my house runs from well water and bought a new pump and new lines and all that but for some reason not getting no water preasure pass 30 and it is like there is air in the line and done everything I can think of to get it out so woundering what I am doing wrong need some advice plese

Reply:

When the pump runs and delivers water but can't pressuize the water tank enough to shut off the pump, and water pressure reading is low as you describe I'd look for

- a damaged pump impeller

- low voltage to the pump

- a leak in the well piping

- low water in the well

Conversely if the pressure reading on the gauge doesn't change as the pump turns on and off, or if the pump switch doesn't seem to be turning off the pump or turning on the pump when it should, I'd guess the pressure switch or its sensing tube is debris clogged and is not sensing water pressure - change the switch itself and also tube or small diameter pipe nipple on which the switch mounts. You may also need to replace the pressure gauge.

See WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL REPAIR

 

Question: low well pressure

(May 5, 2014) Low well preshure said:
I have a deep well pump in my garage simer 2805d with 20 gal presure tank.I has 19 lb of air on bladder . The preshure switch is a 20 to 40 preset.It turns on at 20 lb fine but wont build up past 30 lb . It has to be manually shut off. I can leave it for days shut off an it still holds 30lb. I dont have to reprime it but it wont build over 30lb.Any help would be great. Connor Rhoney Cammrho@windstream.net

Reply:

I suspect a damaged impeller or low water in the well.

Connor, Check through the table above for some ideas; from what I see in your note you may be looking for a damaged impeller, low voltage to the pump motor (that could also be a wiring damage problem), or low well flow rate.

See WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

Question: jet pump pulling from 30 feet - pump stays on too long on well, OK on city water

(June 17, 2014) walt said:

I got a jet pump pulling water from a 30 feet well.The pump stays on for a long time and is pumping to a pressure tank but never reaches the right pressure to cut off the pump. when the pump is switched to the city water it immediately reaches the required pressure and switches off, It never does this when switched to hauling water from the well.what could be wrong for the pump not to reach its pressure when pumping from the well.

Reply:

Walt your description suggests that there is a problem with the well flow rate (low flow into the well) or well piping (such as a leak out).

Question: No water pressure, pump won't shut off,

(Aug 4, 2015) Anonymous said:
No water pressure, pump won't shut off, already changed air volume control piece

(Aug 4, 2015) Sandra said:
Oh, and the water stops after just a minute.

(Aug 8, 2015) jay said:
we have checked the pump and impeller and that is working fine

Reply:

Sandra:

It sounds as if the pump may have been damaged from short cycling, overheating, or running dry.

Turn the pump off right away to (maybe) avoid damaging it.

After checking that your pressure tank has a proper air charge, if the problem remains let us know and we'll take it from there.

Sandra a short-cycling pump usually means the pressure tank has lost its air charge. Short cycling pumps can cause damage to the pressure switch or to the pump itself.

Jay

Have you checked for piping leaks or loss of prime - I've lost track of where we are.

Question: left water on, is pump life reduced?

(Jan 22, 2013) Anonymous said:
someone may have used the hose outside and left it running; found pump on with no water coming out. prime lost. pump only one yr old.
impeller a bit messed up and wobbling on its shaft. replaced impeller and seal.

had pump been damaged? is it defective? why would a one yr old pump's impeller be worn and wobbling? home is only occupied occasionally in past year.

are more troubles ahead? pump life shortened?

Reply:

If the pump ran dry it's likely to have been damaged.

Protection for a Pump That Cannot Reach Cut-out Pressure

For a well pump that cannot reach the cut-off pressure most likely it just keeps running.

In addition to the FAQs just below, see WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING - things that make the pump keep running without ever reaching the CUT-OUT pressure.

See these articles for devices that shut off a well pump to protect it from damage from loss of water in the well (pump won't stop running) or to protect a pump from short cycling:

• WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH
• WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLE STOP VALVE
• WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING
• WELL PIPING TAIL PIECE
• Note that a well pump that is seizing or otherwise drawing excessive electrical current should also trip the circuit breaker or blow a fuse.

...

Continue reading at WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER PUMP WONT STOP: FAQs-2 - more-recent Q&A about a water pump that won't shut off or can't reach shutoff pressure

Or see these articles

How to fix a pump that won't shut off

• WATER PUMP DIAGNOSTIC TABLE a concise guide to diagnosing and fixing water pumps
• WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH to shut off a pump to prevent burn-up
• WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

and check out

• WATER PUMP PROTECTION SWITCH to shut off a pump to prevent burn-up

Well pump is turning on and off too often,

• WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES - why does the water pump keep shutting on and off so quickly?

Water pump won't start

• WATER PUMP WON'T START for ten things to check
• WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE - diagnostic Table 1: Pump Won't Run, Wont' Stop Running, or Cycles Rapidly
• WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE - home

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER PUMP WON'T STOP RUNNING FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

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

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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