I would first start off by removing the float and seeing if it has water in it or a hole. If you don't find a hole or fluid in the float than I might suggest that you adjust the float switch activator on the float rod to a lower setting to see if the added pressure turns on the pump.
If this method fails I would say that the points for the switch have become corroded and should be replaced.
Testimonial: "Thanks for the suggestions, Dorrian. The float is intact and their is no adjustment on the float rod on this model. I had planned on taking the unit apart to clean things up and possibly replace the switch when I thought of a kludge fix. I took 6 inches of a lawn sprinkler PVC pipe and sealed off each end with caps, thus creating a float. Then I created a 2nd one. I attached these 2 new floats to the pump float with zip ties. The new combined float now has enough buoyancy to trip the switch! Using 2 PVC floats attached on opposite sides of the pump float provides some sort of balanced overall float. I realize this didn't find the real problem, but for now it's working. By the way, according to literature, this pump is filled with oil. Is that for cooling reasons? If I were to disassemble the pump housing to clean up and/or replace the switch, do you know what kind/weight of oil is used? Thanks."
SOURCE: Hi, my little giant 506158
For this pump to turn on, it must be under 7" to 10" of water. The water gets into the switch housing (which has an opening in it) and water pressure pushes on the rubber diaphragm (much the same as you did when you removed the cover). Once the pump turns on and lowers the water level to between 1" and 4", the pressure of the water will not be enough to keep the switch closed and the pump stops automatically.
Gary
Testimonial: "Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!"
SOURCE: I have the Little Giant
Hi,
Either the pump or the motor has seized up...
You need to take the motor off and figure out which it is....
then you can figure out if the pump is bad (bad bearing)
or if the motor has gone bad...
heatman101
SOURCE: My Little Giant, Model VCMA 15UL, condensate pump
Its probably just crudded up inside. Take the bottom off the pump and you will see the float assembly which looks like a round little donut. This slides up and down on a vertical little shaft. Clean all this up real good. This float must slide up and down very easily. As the water level builds up in the pump this float will slide up the shaft until it makes contact with a little micro switch. When the float touches the switch and pushes in a llittle button the will activate.As the water level falls the donut will slide back down releasing the micro switch and turning off the pump. If it still acts up you might need a new switch which should be available at a local Radio Shack.
If your pump has a standard plug on the end of the power line you should be able to test this with the bottom off and by sliding the float up and down to activate the pump.
So thats my opinion and Im stickin to it...................
Thank you for posting your question here on Fixya.com.
Replace the check valve that is part if the discharge hose barb. When it fails the water trapped in the vertical section of the tube comes back into the tank and cycles the float on again causing what you describe. The best way to confirm this would be to watch the water level as soon as the pump shuts off and see if it climbs without any other source of water coming into it. If it is not rising then the issue is with the float itself and is not worth fixing; replace the unit in that case.
If this answer does not fix your problem, please comment with additional details prior to rating the answer. You may also contact me thru our website at www.arrowmotor.net. Positive feedback is appreciated once your problem is solved!
John
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