bilge pump on '98 challenger.

[danamckisson]

I have a switch on console for bilge pump. Should I hear it running if turned on or does it just operate if it senses water?

 

[RFoster130]

It should work automatically if it senses water. You should also be able to turn it on manually with the switch. Take a garden hose and add water to the bilge area and wait for it to come on. If you submerge the pump and it doesnt kick on, try the switch.

 

[danamckisson]

thanks I will go and try this now.

 

[danamckisson]

where exactly is the pump?

 

[RFoster130]

In the engine compartment. Open it and you will see it down in there. Add water and you should hear it click on and see what come out the back of the boat where the exit hose is.

 

[Phildoo]

Oddly enough, my bilge isn't on auto. I have to manually turn it on.

 

[RFoster130]

Been a busy weekend, I finally got the boat out again. So i can catch up here while im working today. Phildoo...I learned the hard way with the auto feature. You would think the auto feature would always work even with the battery switch off. The first time I left the boat in water overnight, I came out in the morning to find water about 8" deep in the ski locker and engine compartment. I was lucky and it didnt hurt anything.

After that, I went home and tested the auto feature. I found out it didnt work with the battery switched off. So if you take the battery switch out, find the red wire that is on the common post when switched on. I figured it out by adding water to the bilge and then touching the wires to the wire from the battery until i heard the pump kick on. Once you find that wire, move it over to the post that is connected to the battery. Now you will always have a working pump. The only odd thing is that same wire powers the switches up front. So dont accidentally leave the fan or lights on.