Community Forums

OEV · 01-26-2019, 06:18 PM

Hi all. I'm new to this forum. Found lots of great stuff before I bought my newest coach.
Last week, I purchased a 2014 Newmar Bay Star. I got it in Eugene Oregon and drove it home to Southern California. On the way home, we used the bathroom many times, turning the water pump on either in the bathroom or in the kitchen on the way back.
Got home last week and the coach sat for 6 days, plugged in, batteries charging. I went in this morning to start getting more acquainted with the coach and found that the kitchen and bathroom water pump switches don't work. I went below and tried the switch at the outside shower (in the water connection bay) and it worked.
I've got 12 volts to the fuse box in the bathroom, but no power to the inside switches. Any ideas? Many thanks.

AnotherMike · 01-26-2019, 11:45 PM

On my MH the panel in the kitchen has a pump light next to the pump switch. The light turns on when either the bathroom switch or the kitchen switch is on. If yours has a light does it turn on?

Leave either the bathroom switch or the the kitchen switch on for the rest of these tests.

Look to see if there is a circuit breaker on the motor end of the pump. Try to reset it even if it looks like it doesn't need it.

There will be a wire from the pump assembly to ground. See if it's loose.

There's a water pressure switch that switches the pump on and off with water pressure. In my coach it's on the plumping fitting end of the pump. Might want to jumper it out for a second and see if the pump runs.
On my pump that pressure switch is in the negative side (the 'low" side) of the pump... it's between the pump and ground.
You could have +12 on the kitchen switch and +12 on the pump, if that pressure switch was open the pump would not run.

Some coaches have a water pump control electrical module that is in the low side of the pump.
Some research may be needed on your coach as to if there is a module, and if so how it and the pump are wired.

I also sent you a private message on an unrelated matter. you might want to look for it.

GaryKD · 01-27-2019, 06:40 AM

Hi OEV,
Congrats on the new to you coach. This is going to sound dumb, but replace the fuse in the bathroom. Also check ALL the other 12V fuses. Newmar wiring can sometimes be a challenge.

MSHappyCampers · 01-27-2019, 10:18 AM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Sorry, don't have a suggestion for that problem. Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

OEV · 01-27-2019, 03:20 PM

Mike,
Thanks for the input. I probably wasn't very clear. I can get the pump to work, but the only switch (of the 3) that actually turns on the pump is the one below in the outside hatch.
The 2 switches inside the coach won't turn it on. Newmar uses momentary switches connected to something called a "C-Storm water pump controller" that actually turns the pump on. I found it next to the pump. My guess is that the switches are connected in series since one of them works (the one closest to the controller) but the others don't.
I'm stumped at what to do next.

RKins · 01-27-2019, 04:35 PM

Look at the controller and see if you see 3 pairs on the SW and load connections. They should be installed in parallel otherwise they would all affect each other and that's not how they should work. You should see a LED on all of them if you turn one on = parallel.
Let us know what you see on the controller. I think I remember a link in 007s stuff that addresses the C-Storm.

Here is a bit of info from C-Storm - not much substance (like Intellitec) but the 2nd page may help.

"007" · 01-29-2019, 10:12 AM

Welcome to the forum OEV.
You have good information from members, some problems with the new or old controller can be the common ground to each switch location, naturally the battery supply and finding controller and switch locations.
You have found all of this which would lead me to beleive the controller maybe defective.
The new controllers have been defective we have found and some people have replaced with the old controller to fix which has been more reliable over the years.
Finding info to order either this link can be use for any replacement item you may need for your coach by inputting search information.
Another link you will be needing is this one for your coach.
All the links below in my signature have answers also.
Enjoy your Newmar and safe travels.

OEV · 02-10-2019, 07:35 AM

Hi again. So...I ordered and received a new controller for the water pump. Took a week to get. I went underneath and changed it out. Voila...the switches inside the coach worked. I turned on the one in the kitchen, pump on. Turned it off. Went into the bathroom, pump on. Turned it off. Easy fix.
I went in the house and told my wife. We went into the coach and I hit the water pump switch in the kitchen again and ....yep...you guessed it....nothing. Bathroom switch...nothing. So the outside switch still works, but neither of the inside switches work.
I am now officially stumped. Any suggestions? Many thanks for your help.

Ricci · 02-10-2019, 10:59 AM

Hi OEV - I would have bet money that the latch controller would have been the fix! The system works by creating a ground for the pump so that it runs (the controller does not supply 12 volt). That leads to the obvious that there is a ground issue and they can be difficult to ferret out. You will need to get out the ohmmeter and check for proper crimps at each switch and at the latch controller. Where it works once and then faults out it makes me wonder if a wire is not in it's proper place and causes a back feeding which shuts down the latch controller. It's possible that the switch in the wet bay is wired directly and that's why it continues to work properly. (See if it runs through the controller or is a direct line to the pump).

Tom