Fuel Pump keeps running

[Dave R]

Greetings, a friend has a '92 Catalina 28 which has a curious problem. He's asked me to take a look at it but I thought a little research before the fact would be in order. I haven't seen the boat yet at all.The problem is that the fuel pump continues to run when the key switch is turned to "OFF". It will stop if the wire to the pump is removed at the switch. Makes me think bad switch but the gauges which are wired to the same terminal on the switch turn off when the key is turned to the "OFF" position. He says there are only two wires going into the fuel pump, the hot from the key switch and another that is evidently bolted to a ground point on the engine.Anyone have any ideas? I'd appreciate any thoughts. You could e-mail me at drkr4109@iwon.com if you'd like. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave Slepoy]

fuel pump

You need to trace the hot( 12volt )wire from the pump to its source. One side of the pump MAY have a seperate gound or it could be geting a ground fromits mounting if it is mounted to the engine,, the other wire is the 12 volt supply and needs to be traced back to the voltage source. On my 91 Catalina 28 as on many others there is a problem with the wiring plug at the engine...AND... just below the engine instrument panel where the key switch is. The white,crean colored plug melts from excess heat and you may have a shorted wire there feeding the pump. I cut out my bad plug and spliced in a 2 foot piece of the proper guage wire....DO ONE AT A TIME, you will not goof up then. The 2 foot extension allows me to remove the engine instrument panel for service with plenty of working space. Good Luck Dave Slepoy

 

[Dave R]

Thanks for the Tip

Dave, thanks. That sounds like a good tip. I'll check the connectors out.