toilet flush?

toilet makes noise as fushing but no water

pau bartup
April 2011

If it's a Thetford C2 bench type follow instructions below. IF not and a swivel type at bottom of this is access to free pdf downloads plus on page 3 drop Thetford a message if none of this or pdf's any help


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Note: All my own info except, and with permission, the microswitches.
This was because Thetford did not cover this problem when I checked moons ago I think they would rather you buy a new pump which many times is not necessary. email back if still getting problems after trying the following, I’ll see if I can help further.

I compiled this because I found that Thetford did not cover this problem probably because they would rather you buy a new pump.


REPLACING / FREEING AN ELECTRIC PUMP IN C2 THETFORD CASSETTE TOILETS.
If you are not clear on what to do then e-mail me again.

FREEING A JAMMED PUMP
If you know there is current to the pump so go to ‘To access the pump’
An easy test to find out if current is reaching the pump carry out the following..
power up your 12 volt system.
Turn on the 12volt toilet cubicle light or if there isn’t one, one in the saloon area you can see [one over the sink/hob if there is one will do if like mine opposite toilet].
Press the toilet flush and take note if the light dims then goes back to normal on releasing the flush button. If it does it proves power is reaching the pump but the pump impeller is either jammed or the pump is knackered. Or use a multi meter.
If no current at all check the fuse in the holding tank housing, to the left I think.

Once in to tank check the flush tube is connected to both the pump and the side of the toilet. If yes carry on to remove pump then pull flush tube off pump, or just pull it off if you need more room to remove pump..

To access the pump remove the toilet roll holder. PULL up on the holder housing this, it’s a push fit giving access to the water tank. It may need easing around the edges. Vaseline edges before replacing when repair completed to make further removal easy.

You will see the pump flush tube follow down in to tank and there is the pump in a cage held by one screw undo screw lift cage and pump from tank.

To free the impeller on jammed pump remove the pump as above turn it upside down and with small screwdriver turn the impeller about three turns until it feels to be running free . Don’t fix pump back in position just drop it in water, either in the tank or a bucket of water as long as It’s submerged [submersibles need to be wet, running dry damages them]. Oh! make sure the flush tube is still connected or you’ll get wet. If it works job done.

To replace a pump. WARNING! [ DON’T TRY PULLING EXISTING PUMP WIRE OUT FROM SWITCH CONNECTIONS YOU WILL NEVER GET THE NEW WIRE IN WITHOUT TAKING TOILET APART. SPLICE IN NEW PUMP WIRE.
Cut away the existing pump about six inches or 150mm up the cable from the pump and note one wire has a tracer [secondary colour] in the wire the secondary wire on new pump must be connected together don’t connect a plain single colour to a wire Pwith a tracer colour. Fit on each of the wires one of the heat shrink joints then twist
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the wires together. One with tracer [Secondary colour] to the new pump wire with secondary colour. Then connect the two single colour wires together. Slide the shring joints over the joints and heat shrink them down. Then wrap tape around ends of shrink joints to ensure seal. Stow the joint section on the shelf at back of tank so it’s out of the water.
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SHRINK JOINTS. [search internet for supplier if local shops don’t stock.]

You can purchase from car spares small shrink wrap sleeves heat sealed for the wire joints just remember to fit them on the cable before connecting wires together. Simply slide sleeves over joined wires and follow heat application instructions.
You could add some water proof tape after to be sure.

Re fit flush tube to new pump and test using a bucket of water to submerse the pump. Remember don’t test any pump dry it will damage them.


From another forum reader haven’t got his mail address.

volt drop can be a bitch to trace. could be a dirty / bad connection or switch. what ya need to do is test the cables with a low reading ohm meter. should get very low reading ie 0.5 ohms. (obviously with the switch in closed position) another way to test is to get some cable, run it from battery direct to pump (a similar length to what's installed) if the problem is still there the battery needs fully charging (even new ones can be down on power without a good solid charge up) if the pump works ok with temp wiring ya need to check voltage going into the first switch and then coming out, same with 2nd switch if 12v in and 12v out. this will tell if the switch contacts are dirty. *To see if the battery is fully charged or not, switch on a couple of lights and test voltage at battery terminals, should still give at 11v. with nothing switched on at all you should get at 13.2 volts. (6 cells at 2,2v /cell)
if everything checks out, ie battery good, 12v out of switches, then the negative from the pump to battery is suspect. again, can be checked with temp wire from battery to pump.
ACCESS TO MICRO SWITCHES.

1 The flush / blade button is removed by snapping off (its a push fit) the little button that has PUSH on it, and then you will need a LONG (8 ins approx) reach Phillips screwdriver (with quite a small tip, I bought 2 whilst we where away and they both where to fat at the tip.)

2 By removing the flush/blade button, It will allow you to remove the cradle that has both micro switches in it, (one you can see when the toilet is removed for emptying) this is the part when you will need a mirror and a lot of patience as the cradle is held in with 4 screws. And yes they are accessed with the collection compartment removed.

You gain nothing by removing the flush / blade button other than to remove the cradle that holds the micro switches. Unless you wish to give the exposed bits a good squirt of WD40, to see if that works, it would save lots of blood sweat and tears, as getting that cradle out and then back in is a pain.
Not ‘passing the buck’ but if I can’t help thetford may!.

Thetford have improved their site by adding downloads for minor repairs
www.thetfor-europe.com If I can’t help try them. You can also email them a question in ‘Ask thetford’.
ADDENDUM: Pump repair/replace look also for a bad joint in cable if current drops or not showing and fuse is ok.




Addition with permission from another camper

REPLACING TOILET MICRO SWITCHES.
• I assume he means the flush turn knob can be removed this way once screws out of cover/s
•
•

Hi Bob, many thanks for your very quick return e'mail, which is a great help, with the toilet out, I have been able to test all switches, but I am going to replace them, as its very easy whilst toilet is out, I can tell you, that the only way to replace switches is not through the turn handle, if you open toilet door and swing out flush filler unit, then remove blanking plate, ( just held in by push pop ), you will see a long grey cover held in by 4 screw and one up inside the other twist unit with micro switch attached , pull out this unit, and the long grey cover will drop down with the other micro switch inside it, pull apart cable connecters and *the cover unit can be removed from inside the toilet and very easly replace switches, put back in reverse order, hope this helps,




Thetford pdf accesss :

UK www.thetford-europe.com

Australia www.thetford.com.au (Even get request from Australian campers)

Australia site has stockist list.

HOME PAGE SELECT ENGLISH {if in Australia forget this selection)
NEXT PAGE SELECT CUSTOMER SERVICE (top line)
NEXT PAGE SELECT USER INFORMATION (left of pic) also 'Ask thetford' is on this page.
NEXT PAGE SELECT REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS (left of pic)
NEXT PAGE SELECT BUILT IN TOILETS [top right of pic]
NEXT PAGE SELECT This is where you select your toilet range. Search alll if unsure of type/range
NEXT PAGE PDF Files You should be in the pdf folder list on your Thetford toilet. Start downloading.


To direct link to the Thetford download site type in the following
www.thetford.eu/web/show/id=51498/langid=42


Don't bother for Thetford fridges they tell you for safety reason to take it to a service centre

bob
August 2010