Toilet flush not working
I know it's been asked before, but the search function doesn't appear to work.
Anyway, arrived on site, filled the flush tank, half expected to have the usual air-lock problem but......nothing! Not a peep out of the pump.
It worked when we packed up a month ago. Never had this problem before.
I've changed the fuse in the cassette box (it did look like it had blown, strangely) but still nothing. All wires appear to be intact and connected. None of the fuses on the fuse box have blown.
Any suggestions, please?
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FROZEN UP ????.1 -
Had this happen to my Adria- pump out -clean the black "gunge" from around impellor- spin impellor with electricians screwdriver- squirt of " magic" WD40 spin again and hey presto - worked and still is.
Worth a try .
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As Brightstar2 says the pump has probably seized.
to prove this:-
1) turn off you van battery charger
2) turn on a 12volt lamp in the bathroom
3} press the flush button
If the 12volt lamp dims slightly whilst the button is pressed it shows that the pump is drawing current. That will indicate a mechanical fault with the pump.
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago when on my first trip of the year. The pump had seized over the winter but I could not free it an had to replace it.
squip
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I had a similar problem and you say you have changed the fuse so I am thinking it is an electric flush type. On mine I peeled off the "blue switch" on the top. Its just glued on!. Honestly- if you are careful it does come off. Peel off the whole switch to see if the micro switch has become unattached from the back of it. Just push it back in and hey presto. Stick it back on, easy peasy. Hope it helps.
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Thanks for the replies.
Tried Squip's trick with the charger, 12v light etc......no dimming of the light at all, so I guess no power is getting to the switch.
Will try looking at the blue button and will double check the fuse.
The manual mentions a switch in the cassette box (with the fuse) but cannot find this.
Any other suggestions?
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Hi Ian, the switch your talking about is I think the reed switch, which basicly controls the "cassette full" light the fuse does sometimes gets grubby or even blows, you have to take the tank out and they are situated at the back of the cupboard, with all the bad weather we've had lately ice would have been my first thought its only a plastic 12 v pump and even a small amount of water can freeze and stop the impeller , if you need to get the pump out its above the tank held in by two clips if you use a mirror you can see better it drops down held by the cable and pipes...H
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Thanks, H.
I am electrically uneducated, so forgove me if this is rubbish:
If no power is getting to the pump (as per the Squip test above) then this would indicate an electrical fault.
Or is it that, because the pump has seized, no power goes to it?
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If the electrics were ok and the pump seized then the lighting would dim when flush pressed.
Mine flush stopped just over 12 months ago. I knew that it was a seized pump impeller as lights dimmed. With my physical constraints there was no way I could have replaced it myself.
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The PCB under the flush button may need cleaned, use an electrical cleaner.
IMO the board is far too easily affected by the damp environment in there and not fit for purpose.
Could also be a poor connection to the edge of the board or from the flush button. Can you hear a slight click when you press it?
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KjellNN probably has a good point. I had the reverse problem last year when the pump would not stop working! Gently prise off the cover surrounding the flush button on top of the tank to expose the control board; spray with electrical cleaner and this may well solve the problem - solved mine. Otherwise I tend to think that ice may be the culprit and if todays milder weather has not cured it, take pump out, connect direct to 12v supply to see if it works you should be able to see if problem is pump or in the wiring.
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Update:
After blowing my third fuse this morning by trying the flush button again (thought it might have fixed itself or defrosted or something overnight), decided to leave things untill I had new fuses, which I bought while out and about today.
When we got back, I took out the pump (on the end of its rubber inlet hose (and in so doing, pulled the outlet hose off the pipe that leads to the toilet bowl.......result was that half the holding tank emptied down the upstanding pipe.....when I lifted the toilet seat, the toilet was full to the brim with pink water......fortunately not quite overflowing!)
Had a look at the pump (sealed unit, but could just see the impeller on the bottom) and tried to turn it with a thin screwdriver. Wouldn't budge.
Not quite sure if it was meant to move like this or not, but persisted anyway and it gradually started to turn. Kept re-trying the flush button (and managed to blow fuse number 4 in the process) untill it was free enough to spin via the electric motor.
Relief!
Re-assembled and it works perfectly again
Lesson learned for next time it goes wrong.
And now, a well deserved drink for me.......getting to be quite the handyman
Thanks for all your tips and advice guys! Exactly what a forum like this is all about.
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Oh, yes! We have had the non-stop pump too. And the one that starts up all on its own when nobody is near it, and almost floods the bathroom!t
Well done Ian on fixing it. The toilet is the item which has given us the most trouble in the van.
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Thanks all.
I've said it before, but I much preferred the manual flush pump on our previous caravan. Lift the handle and push down once, was all that was required.
No problems with air locks, freezing pump, fuses, electrical problems......it just worked.
Progress eh?
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When ours had the same problem it was physically impossible for me to reach it and remove although I was pretty sure of the problem. Had it replaced at the next service. The mechanic asked if I wanted it freeing or replacing. I chose the latter as it seemed pointless just freeing it if it might repeat the fault as I would be unable to rectify myself.
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Perhaps the answer is for new purchasers to insist on the manufacturers fitting manual flushes if they wish to complete a sale. The most useless bit of unnecessary complexity IMHO.
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couldn't agree more! When ours went pear-shape a couple of years ago I wanted to do just that but her-indoors insisted we "keep it all as it should be". I don't see the problem with pushing a plunger, after all we don't press buttons to flush the loo at home. In recent threads about saving battery power on CLs etc. electric flushes are definitely on my shortlist for the big heave-ho. Anyway, well done IanH for flushing out the problem (sorry - couldn't resist it!)
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Dave, The 2017 Venus range has gone back to the manual flush. The magazines have criticised Venus for returning to the manual toilets but for me it is a positive, but for Thetford it probably means selling a lot less overpriced bits.
If the manual was available as an alternative I would take it.
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