Bilge switch sticking

[begbie]

All -

I've got a tahoe 216wt, which for a couple years has been great -- no problems.

However, this past weekend, it appears the bilge switch got stuck -- the bilge ran all night and ran down the battery to near nothing. Then, when it was re-charged, it was off. But then after riding around in the boat for a while, we cut off the engine and it was running again. But when we pulled the boat out, it was off.

There was no noticeable water in the bilge. In fact, to confirm it wasn't just a pump problem -- something blocking it, when it was "stuck", i dumped a bunch of water in it, and it pumped it immediately out the side of the boat, but then kept running. I also disconnected the tube, and was able to suck out the water manually when the battery was disconnected.

Any ideas how to fix this? Or, more appropriately, any ideas how to actually get to the bilge pump / switch? It is completely beneath the motor, and I've got long arms and can't reach around the motor to get to it. It seems completely inaccessible -- even from the access panel beneath the seat.

Thanks,
-b

 

[yourboatmyboat]

Re: Bilge switch sticking

If the motor is not an MPI you should still be able to lay in the floor with a flashlight to see the bilge switch.Sounds like maybe the engine oil drain tube works it's way under the test lever at the front of the switch. If there is a brass plug at the transom this will be your access to the engine oil drain tube. Un screw the plug and pull the tube out , abt a foot in length. Push back in maybe it will rearrange itself away from the switch. If you can see debre under the motor take your drain plug out ,use a garden hose with a sprayer and spray beneath the motor to try to wash it away from the switch and out the drain.