pump blows fuses--where to start?

[Home Cookin']

My livewell pump is blowing fuses; I crossed over to the bilge pump switch to verify and it's not the switch.
21' CC so the wiring leaves the pump joins with all the other wires and ends up under the dash on a block. No apparent defects but I can't see much; the wires in the bilge are out of any water in there.

So I assume I just have to replace the pump, but without knowing if the issue is elsewhere? I suppose I could cut the wires, jump them together and see if that blows the fuse, too.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: pumo blows fuses--where to start?

Re: pumo blows fuses--where to start?

so is the pump working? but blows fuses after awhile? or fuse pops as so as switched on? all makes a differance as to where to start looking for problem

 

[Silvertip]

Re: pump blows fuses--where to start?

Disconnect one wire at the pump. Turn the switch on. If the fuse doesn't blow the pump is stalled or bad. If the fuse still blows, there is a wiring issue between the switch and the pump.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: pump blows fuses--where to start?

Styles, the pump runs for a couple of seconds and then the fuse blows. It sounds OK but hard to tell in a short interval.

Silvertip, good suggestion. To disconnect at the pump I have to cut wires. Should I start with the brown, or the black, or does it matter?

Thanks. I really hope it's not in the wiring; it's a crowded run already, even though wire is cheaper than pumps. The boat's a 2004.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: pump blows fuses--where to start?

can you get to your livewell pump? if so do what silvertip said, yea cut wire close to pump(brown) so that it can be spliced back together. if fuse doesn' blow then remove pump completely. open it up see if its restricted, or may some type of build up in it. does it have a debris screen where it sucks up water?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: pump blows fuses--where to start?

thanks for the suggestion. I cut the brown wire, put in a smaller fuse, no blow. So off to replace the livewell; I don't see any use in trying to crack it open to fix it (Rule 700 original to boat 2003). I'm going to look into replacing the plastic sea **** with bronze while I'm at it since this is on a through-hull; the whole set-up keeps me up at night.