If you are the owner of an RV, motor home, camper or tent trailer, you should learn about your water pump and how it works. It is relatively easy to troubleshoot your Shurflo water pump if you are experiencing any difficulties. These pumps are usually powered by 12-volt DC electricity and they only turn on when they're needed. Your Shurflo water pump will pressurize the water pipes, when needed, to give you a steady flow of running water.
Check to see if there is water in the holding tank. Sometimes the water gauges will accumulate residue or mineral deposits and read full when the tank is actually empty. If needed, add water to the tank.
Check the power source to your Shurflo water pump. Make sure that your RV battery is fully charged. You can also try hooking it up to 120 volt power to make sure that you have power going to the water pump. Check the fuse located in the positive wire near the pump. If the fuse is blown, replace it and try the water pump again. If that doesn't work, try checking the wire connections to the pump to make sure nothing has come loose in transit. Inspect the wiring to see if there are any damaged sections of it that need to be repaired or replaced.
Test the switch to the water pump. Bypass the switch and connect the water pump directly to the negative and positive wires. If the pump operates normally when you try this, the switch is broken and needs to be replaced.
Inspect the rubber diaphragm in the water pump. If the pump turns on but doesn't pump any water, this could be the problem. Remove the three screws that attach the pump casing to the pump head and check for any damage to the rubber diaphragm. If it is damaged, replace it with a new one. If it looks good, clean it with soap and flush the pump head with water to clean out any built up debris before replacing it and tightening the three screws back on.
Inspect the supply line from the fresh water tank to the water pump and make sure that it isn't blocked, cracked or punctured. Make sure that any valves along this line are open. If the supply line is blocked with debris or ice, disconnect it at the pump and use compressed air to try and clear it. If the water supply line is punctured it should be repaired or replaced.
If the pump comes on and then doesn't shut off, check for leaks in the system. Common areas for leaks include at the faucet, in the plumbing or where the line connects to the pump. Once you locate the leak, repair it and the pump should function normally again.