Hey guys, I am just about to take my Maiden voyage on my 1994 16' Starcraft fishmaster.  As I was going over everthing I noticed that the bilge pump didn't run when I switched it on..

Can anyone tell me if it will only run when it sees water??  or should it run on land??

Thanks

Jeff

It should run whenever the switch is turned on. Maybe a bad connection, blown fuse, or pump may be bad. Good luck!

There could also be something jamming the impeller.  

It should run whenever the switch is turned on. Maybe a bad connection, blown fuse, or pump may be bad. Good luck!

Not necessarily... it could be automatic with a float attached.  If theres a float, turn it on then go back and lift the float and it should run.

Yeah it should work when you turn it on rather it is in water or not.  If their isn't water you can hear it sucking like when you suck water out of a empty glass.  Check and make sure the connections are good and tight and nothing loose, then check a fuse, then trace back.  It could be the bilge and those don't cost much.  Mine didn't come with a bilge and I put in one, just in case, even thou my boat is complete sealed and doesn't get a drop from leaks, but a big wave coming over the front.  I also added the float switch so my bilge comes on with my manual switch or if the float switch.

I check my bilge several time during the year (I fish all year).  Jack the front of the boat up as far as it will go, then turn a hose on and fill the back of the boat with water.   To clean out that part of the boat, I add bleach or dawn.  If the bilge pump is automatic, it will come on.  If not, turn the bilge pump on and water should be pumped out.

If nothing works, use a volt meter and see it the wire are hot.  If not, trace back to the fuse.

Thanks for all the replies..   It was a bad pump.  I got a new one and it worked great.. So I appreciate all your help.

Harpoon