Kitchen Tap / Water Pump not working.

[Resfeber]

Great. I’ll give that a go

FYI the rear connector receives power from tap micro switch and the other pin is connected earth so “carefully” use continuity tester across the terminals (see image using multimeter to prove whole circuit is good ie from fuse to tap connector block then to tap micro switch then to rear connector block and then return to earth).
If you are unsure that you will not fully short the rear connector when using the continuity probe then attach the crocodile clip to a good earth on the van body (some of the bolts in the rear cupboard go into the van metalwork) and use the fine point to contact one of the pins only in turn.
The live pin will illuminate the tester if power is coming from the micro switch switch in the on position.

 

[787driver]

Fixed!! I replaced the fuse. I then shorted across the wires under the sink ( bypassing the tap) and the pump started working!!
I then filled the tank with water and turned the tap on and all worked well!!
Bizarre

 

[Resfeber]

Fixed!! I replaced the fuse. I then shorted across the wires under the sink ( bypassing the tap) and the pump started working!!
I then filled the tank with water and turned the tap on and all worked well!!
Bizarre

I would favour that the pump impeller was seized or partially so (as I found when it would turn but not easily and the motor could not over come this resistance).
Your work on it has freed it enough to run without drawing excess current sufficient to blow the fuse. Good luck.
The pump has had a decent Innings so don’t be too surprised if you experience this again.

 

[The Tall Luthier]

If you have a bit of wood lying around you can make a turn key that saves the knuckle pain. I had the the same symptoms as others, no water after a flush and refill.
Used this to open it up and hey presto it worked again.

Thanks for the heads up folks.

 

[Maxi-Mizer-T6]

This (and a few other threads) were of great help, as I've had 3 different issues already with the water system in the California. I've learned a few things as I fixed all of them, including replacing the water pump myself, so I decided to document it all in case it helps others. Here's a first guide on how to identify which problem you are actually experiencing:

https://medium.com/@maxi-mizer/fix-vw-california-ocean-coast-kitchen-water-issues-43a19d0d893a

I hope it helps! I'll update this thread as I complete the detailed step-by-step guides (feel free to drop by that article and give me some claps and comments for motivation!)

 

[Lovingmycampervan]

Hi,

Kitchen tap and shower both not working. No chance of a finding a service centre and we leave today on holiday. Feeling a bit gutted as it’s the first big trip since we got the campervan. Still under warranty too!

The pump is making a sound and swishing water around so there is power. I’ve tried blowing, sucking, different water levels and so on….just no good.

I’ve tried to open the water tank too - hammer and wood, home made key…. No way that thing is shifting. WTF!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks,

Billy

 

[Resfeber]

Hi,

Kitchen tap and shower both not working. No chance of a finding a service centre and we leave today on holiday. Feeling a bit gutted as it’s the first big trip since we got the campervan. Still under warranty too!

The pump is making a sound and swishing water around so there is power. I’ve tried blowing, sucking, different water levels and so on….just no good.

I’ve tried to open the water tank too - hammer and wood, home made key…. No way that thing is shifting. WTF!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks,

Billy

The key to resolving this is to find a way to open the access hatch as it does appear from your description that the pump has become dislodged from the feed pipe to the tap and shower outlet.
You will have found a couple of diy tools recommended made from wood blocks. In this and other posts.
Main problem is getting enough “turning force” (torque) on these unless you are built like “Popeye”.
I found an adjustable spanner with an angled head would fit into the ribs of the access hatch and with nearly 25cm of handle I could easily get enough torque to open the hatch.



£6.99 Screwfix

 

[Free Willaert]

Hi, I've read most of what I've found on this forum, managed to unscrew the water tank lid using the piece-of-wood technique, sucked some water through,... But no result.

One thing I don't get is that many people here speak about the impellers being stuck, but I don't see anything like that - see photo below.

In my case, with a T6.1 Ocean, the only thing that happens when I open the valve (both sink and shower) is a very light, high pitch sound, and on the control panel I can see there is power consumption. But the typical sound of the pump is not there.

Is there any other option left than that the pump is broken?
The van is still under waranty so I don't want to fiddle too much.

 

[nigpdreadingfc]

Hi, I've read most of what I've found on this forum, managed to unscrew the water tank lid using the piece-of-wood technique, sucked some water through,... But no result.

One thing I don't get is that many people here speak about the impellers being stuck, but I don't see anything like that - see photo below.

In my case, with a T6.1 Ocean, the only thing that happens when I open the valve (both sink and shower) is a very light, high pitch sound, and on the control panel I can see there is power consumption. But the typical sound of the pump is not there.

Is there any other option left than that the pump is broken?
The van is still under waranty so I don't want to fiddle too much.

View attachment 113910

The impellor is the white 3 vaned bit in the middle. This spins when working properly. When I had the same problem I freed up the impellor using an electrical screwdriver to rotate the impellor manually.
I then ran the tap to check that the impellor was spinning OK. Tip - don't run the impellor dry for too long, just long enough to check that it spins

 

[Free Willaert]

Just a quick but late 'thanks' for responding. Just after my previous post other things (lights, fridge, roof...) stopped working, so there must be a bigger issue.

 

[El Greco]

I am very grateful for all the info here re replacement of the water pump.

I had a dead kitchen water pump and now, after a lot of pain, the new pump is whirring away nicely. Does the pump just seat on the tank bottom behind the raised nipples or does it somehow click/lock into place? I seem to remember it having some resistance on removing it. Your help in how to position the pump would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Resfeber]

I am very grateful for all the info here re replacement of the water pump.

I had a dead kitchen water pump and now, after a lot of pain, the new pump is whirring away nicely. Does the pump just seat on the tank bottom behind the raised nipples or does it somehow click/lock into place? I seem to remember it having some resistance on removing it. Your help in how to position the pump would be greatly appreciated.

My experience with a replacement from the club shop was that the raised lugs in the corner of the tank help “wedge” the pump head into the corner but raised off the floor to allow water into the impeller intake.
If it isn’t located properly then the pump can float free, clonking around on the tank sides or reach the surface and draw air in.