speedster 150/155 electric motor won't stop running, even when battery switch is off

[dwillif]

I recently purchased a 2008 150/155, charged up the battery and now there's an electric motor (somewhere in the engine bay) that won't shut off, even though the battery switch is in the off position. I wait for it to "turn itself off" which it does, once the battery is depleted after a couple of days. Anybody else experience this? Or is there a relay for a pump somewhere that might be stuck?

 

[orty]

Likely the bilge pump

 

[dwillif]

Thanks for your reply! That's what I was thinking, but was confused that the power to that pump would bypass the switch? also, the boat is dry and in the garage, why would it be running at all? And where is that bad boy located?

 

[dwillif]

I may have found a lead here:

"the automatic switch has gotten water in it and if so it will intermittently come on for no reason at all and eventually run your battery down, I just pulled the fuse for automatic operation and use the switch on the dash....

...the float switch is some kind of magnetic trigger, but its sealed(though apparently not well enough) I guess you could drill a little hole to let the water out and then reseal it, but it was easier to just pull the fuse and run it myself, I just periodically flip the switch and feel for water coming out the hole on the side."

 

[orty]

Yes the bilge is wired direct to battery. So if you have the boat power off and it's in the water it will still work. The float for the bilge needs to be replaced. It's under the engine

 

[dwillif]

That makes sense. I can see the pump, now that I know what to look for. Appreciate the guidance - Many thanks!

Time to get hands dirty...

 

[Mister Magoo]

The switch is attached to the side of the bilge pump, not under the engine.

 

[dwillif]

I was trying to get a close look at the pump last night - it wasn't obvious that the switch was attached, but I need to get some things out of the way to get to it. That should make it easier, though. While I'm in there, would I be smart to replace the pump while I'm at it?

 

[Mister Magoo]

On my 2007 speedster 150, the bilge pump from the factory (or dealer) is a Johnson cartridge bilge pump with a electro-magnetic float switch. The basket (strainer) that hold the cartridge is riveted and the switch has 2 screws holding it. They are physically touching. The cartridge is easy to remove, the switch is kind of hard as you got to get a screw driver down there without seeing the screws. My pump stayed running, until it burned out, because the switch shorted due to having standing water in it. Bass Pro shops sell Johnson pumps.

 

[dwillif]

very cool, I'll give that a try first. I was thinking that since the pump has had long, dry runtimes that there might be a risk that was (or is approaching) the point of damage being done to the pump.