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My RVs Water Pump Runs But No Water Comes Out Of The Faucet, What's The Problem?

by Robert
(Virginia)

Any suggestions on why a water pump runs but no water flows to the faucets. Thanks. Bob

ANSWER Hi Bob here are a few steps I would take to troubleshoot this problem. The hardest part of this process is locating and gaining access to your RV's water pump. The location of the water pumps vary by manufacturer, floor plan and type of RV you have. In some cases you have to be a contortionist to gain access to the water pump. Unfortunately, I cannot help you with this part of the process.

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1. Double check to make sure that you have water in your freshwater holding tank. If the tank is very low or empty the water pump has nothing to pump.

2. Check all the water lines leading to and from the water pump to see if you have a loose connection or cracked water line. Start with the water line leading to the pump from the fresh water holding tank.

Once you get to the pump you may want to remove the water line from the suction side of the pump to determine if there is water in that line. Have a bucket or something ready to catch the water that may come out of this line. Slowly loosen the connection to the pump. If water starts leaking out when loosening the line you know that you are getting water to the pump; you can now just retighten the line and move on to step 3.

If you loosen the waterline and no water comes out, then you know that you are not getting water to the pump and the problem is in the water line leading to the pump. It could be that there is a crack in this water line or a blockage of some sort. If you have ever run the water pump with the tank empty, you may have to re-establish suction on the waterline. There has to be water in the line for the water pump to create suction. Try filling up the waterline with water and then reattach it to the pump. Try running the pump again to see if you are now getting water to the faucets. It may take a minute or two for the water to
start coming out of the faucets. If water is still not coming out of the faucets move on to step 3.

3. We now know that we are getting water to the pump, but we are still not getting water to the faucets. Even though the pump is running, it does not necessarily mean that the pump is good. If the impeller in the water pump has broken or is free-wheeling the motor can run all day but there will be no water flow.

To determine if the pump is actually pumping you may have to slowly remove the water line from the pressure side of the pump, with the pump running to see if it is pumping water out. Again have some buckets and clean up materials ready to catch the water. This is a two person job. One person is at the water pump and the other person is at the pump switch. With the pump running slowly loosen the water line; it will become very apparent very quickly whether the pump has pressure. If water only trickles out when you are removing the line thet means the water pump needs to be replaced. If you have good pressure; move on to step 4.

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4. We have determined that we have good water pressure coming out of the RV water pump, so we now know that the problem is between the water pump and the faucets. Check all the water lines leading from the water pump to the faucets to for leaks cracks, etc. Repair and replace as needed. Also check all of the water shut off valves located in the cabinets under the sinks. These water shutoff valves are similar to the ones you have under the sinks in your house. Make sure that they are all in the on position.

The steps above should get your water problem resolved. If any of our visitors have any additional tips or suggestions for you they can add them to this page by clicking on the add a comment link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Comments for My RVs Water Pump Runs But No Water Comes Out Of The Faucet, What's The Problem?

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Pump runs but little to no water
by: Anonymous

Check the filter screen. Mine was plugged and after cleaning , the pump ran great

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Winterizing Roadtrek
by: Anonymous

I have antifreeze in freshwater tanks. I have been able to get pink to come out cold water faucet but have yet to get any through hot water side.Any suggestions?

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Winterizing Hummingbird
by: Kim

I tried to winterize my new TT, I hooked up my fully charged marine battery emptied the water heater and opened and closed low point drains. I went inside and put the bypass on and then used the clear hose from the pump to put into the antifreeze, turned on the pump and it came on for about 15 seconds and turned off. I turned on the faucets and the pump would kick on then kick off. Interesting enough when I turned on the outside shower the pump ran. It would not run inside the Travel trailer. The kitchen finally had antifreeze come out but the shower was slow and the toilet never turned the pump on. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

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Water pump
by: R & C Maxey

Water pumps but mostly air ?!? Start with the simple first Check your fresh water holding tank,be sure it is full.

That's what we did and our tank was low even though Our tank indicated mostly full. Filled with water and gave A test and works just fine.

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Thanks! This post fixed it. I needed to prime it!
by: Anonymous

The fresh water tank was full. And I disconnected the line running to the pump. When the pump was running there was no suction. Just for the heck of it, I went and got the garden hose and brought it in and put it to the input on the pump. I ran the pump and squirted water into it from the hose and voila the next thing you know it's pumping water!

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Running water pump/empty tanks
by: Kim

Question: Husband winterized camper and days later i am out cleaning things out and noticed the water pump is humming away. Did we possibly ruin the brand new water pump we just had installed?

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Repair or replace as needed
by: Anonymous

I was wondering how do you repair a water line, under the trailer without removing it. This line is fed from the water pump and is under pressure. It also seems to be pinched between the frame and grey/black holding tank.

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Water Pump
by: Nelson

I have suction at the pump. No water in the line going to the holding tank. I cannot blow or suck water into this line. Could this be a sign of a blocked line. Is it possible to suck water by mouth on the line going to the holding tank??

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Saved me a bundle of frustration.
by: Elbereth42

Hey there. We just got our first RV, and are learning things left and right. I'm winterizing it today, and couldn't get any water running through the lines. I was pulling my hair out, wondering how much a new pump costs, so on, when I came to your page. You fixed it for me in two steps - the feed line to the pump had gone dry, so there was no suction. Loosened the line till water ran out, tightened it back up, and boom! I've got pressure, and the winterization project can continue!

Thanks!

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Toilet wont work
by: Anonymous

New to rving...faucets work but toilet wont, first trip since the service center had it for generator problems (still having issues there) and its brand new Forest River Forester....starting to regret the decision to buy....

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Water pump not pumping water
by: Rigspark

Good old mother nature could have something to do with it as well. Growth in your water tank could block your pump or an inline filter. I have seen several instances when a filter lean was all that was needed. As for you northern folk, you might have a winterizing valve placed inline with your tank supply. This could be closed and in the bypass mode, which could lead to the pump sucking air from the bypass (or the cap) check this as I have seen that too. Happy camping!

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No Water one faucet
by: MAGS

We have hot water running from all faucets except 1 faucet...Any suggestions?

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kitchen taped don't work(no water coming out)
by: Anonymous

we have a 07 class c choachman.we have water coming out of the bathroom tapes,but not kitchen.And the pump works ,we tried it.So what could it be .We parked it last fall working.Could it have anything to do with filling in water?

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This Page helped.
by: DJ2011

Folks,

This was an excellent page to know about my recent RV water pump issue. Water was not coming even though the pump was running. I looked at each step mentioned in this page. disconnected supply, pressure lines and found that under the sink, the water filter was taken of by previous owner and the switch to bypass filter (or something) was turned off. I put that back on and wala... water in all places.. I spent six to eight hours diagnosing this problem since this was my first day of RV. Thanks a lot for your nice article.

DJ2011

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