Bilge High Water light randomly coming on

Skuza

Skuza

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2006
1,459
Lake St Clair, MI
Boat Info
400 Sundancer
Engines
7.4L Horizons
The light on the systems monitor will illuminate randomly. Sometimes while getting on plane. Sometimes while cruising. It will remain on for up to a minute. The bilge is bone dry and the switch when tripped activates the pump and the light on the dash. What would cause this? I have become complacent about the light but it still gets me on edge. I don't want to dismiss it when one time it could be real.
This is only the high water lamp. The FWD and AFT pump lamps never randomly illuminate. Switches are original Rule float style.

Ideas?
 
Skuza said:
The light on the systems monitor will illuminate randomly. Sometimes while getting on plane. Sometimes while cruising. It will remain on for up to a minute. The bilge is bone dry and the switch when tripped activates the pump and the light on the dash. What would cause this? I have become complacent about the light but it still gets me on edge. I don't want to dismiss it when one time it could be real.
This is only the high water lamp. The FWD and AFT pump lamps never randomly illuminate. Switches are original Rule float style.

Ideas?
Click to expand...



ummmm.....that has all the symptoms of a short circuit somewhere.....maybe in the float switch or maybe in the wiring or maybe in the panel switch or maybe in the system monitor......i have read that the system monitor was prone to electrical issues....

not much help i know but maybe an inspection of the components in the electrical system for the bilge pump may reveal something....

good luck....

cliff
 
If its only a high water lamp is cant turn the pump on.It is usually a seperate float switch mounted 2 inches higher.If the pump is turning on and you only have 1 float switch then the float switch may be going bad
 
I cannot say if when the lamp comes on the pump is actually running as well since this only happens while underway.
 
Fresh water tank can be leaking back where your pumps are located or on the top of the tank and runs back to bilge pump in the aft compartment.
 
Mine does the same thing only randomly when getting on plane. Doesn't stay on for more than a few seconds and then goes out. I can't find anything goofy and everything works. Bilge is dry also. I think it is in the float switch but not positive. I'll be watching this thread or talking to you at the marina if you find an answer.
 
Are you guys sure it's not the bilge pump in the center hold aft of the sumps? Are you seeing a light only, or light and alarm?
 
No alarm for me and I will check which one next time I see it. It doesn't happen all the time. I think mine is taking a break this weekend after the run to Cedar Point and Kelly's Island last weekend and Detroit the weekend before that for the Tigers game. Give my wallet and the boat a rest.
 
Endless and Roller are both onto something. Found water in the bilge behind the sump boxes. Carpet damp as well. Tonight I pulled the tank. I'm gonna have to water test it to see where it's coming from. There was up to 5 inches of water in the compartment that holds the tank by the "tub rings". This has been like this I'm guessing since the end of last season. The water actually permeates the walls of the compartment leaking onto the carpet and down to the bilge. It was getting funky down there. It wasn't bad accessing the tank. Bunch of phillip screws. Getting the tank out was FUN! It fits like a puzzle piece so it has to come straight up and then slide out. It's awkward but it came out of the cabin. Gonna have to get it to the shop and see what's up. I recalled someone else's write up on here and I'm gonna attempt the same fix of this is what's wrong with ours. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...repair?highlight=Fresh+water+tank+leaking+400
Check your rear storage compartments Ezsteps.

Always something on these damn things!
 
Skuza and Ezsteps: I have a 420 and I am not familiar with your boats, but I had a similar problem. On my boat, the salon AC condensate line runs into the gray water sump. If that line becomes clogged up, it will overflow into that area. Check for a clear line. Secondly, I discovered a leak in the drain of my forward shower. It was leaking at the drain/90 degree "el" fitting. This water will eventually make its way to the midship compartment. On my boat, I opened all hatches and started from forward and worked my way aft.
 
Jay thanks for the other idea. I'm willing to bet with the history of these tanks that's where my leak will be. I maintain the sumps and they are working properly. The water was in the hold that surrounds the freshwater tank and then leaked to lower compartments surrounding it.
 
Removed the tank from the boat tonight and another quick look reveals what looks to be a crack indeed at the top inside corner. I'm amazed that such a small crack would leak the amount it did. Will update.
 
I've heard of a leak where the fill tube meets the tank and when you fill until the water tank overfills it swells.

Good luck and glad you found it.
 
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