Well Pump Cycling With No Water Running | Causes and Fixes

The common causes for continuous well-pump cycling with no water running are any type of leakage. The problem is more or less always in the water system and water pressure tank. However, there are other causes too. In most cases, you can fix it by yourself, considering you can detect where the issue is.

Causes and Fixes of Well Pump Cycling With No Water Running 

Just like any other machine, malfunction may occur in a well-pump. One of the most common issues with a well-pump is cycling on and off even when no water is running.

There can be a variety of causes for well pump cycling when no water is running. The most crucial part is detecting the problem. The most possible causes along with the corresponding fixes are narrowed down here.

Leakage in Water Well System

The first thing you should do is to check for any type of leakage in the system. Check for any leakage under the sink, leaky toilets, leaky faucets, dripping showers. Even a small leakage can make the good pump come on. 

Water pipe leakages are not always visible from the outside so make sure to check the areas which are easily overlooked. Here are some suggestions for you:

• Connecting points of the well-pipe and the pressure tank or the building pipes.
• Leaks in water well casing.
• Leaks in pipe connectors.

How to Fix the Leakage

There are a lot of ways to fix the leakage. You can use sticky tapes to cover the small leaks. Clamped pieces of rubber and adhesive resins can be effective if the leak is too big to fix with tape.

If water is leaking due to loose pipe connectors, tighten them properly. In case of faulty connectors, you will need to change them with new ones.

Water Pressure Tank Problem

Most of the time, the cause of intermittent well-pump cycling leads to the water pressure tank. There can be a couple of issues in the tank.

Loss of Air Charge

Loss of air charge is a common cause of intermittent well-pump cycling, especially in the older non-bladder type water pressure tanks. In newer bladder-type water pressure tanks, this problem may occur if the bladder has been damaged.

Check the condensation line whether it is in the upper 70% of the tank. If it is in the upper 70% portion, this means there is a loss of air charge.

How to Restore Air Charge

Clean the air volume control valve if it is dirty. Fix the valve if you see a leakage. Then take a bicycle pump and pump air through the water tank air inlet valve. If required, drain some water to make room for the air. This should fix the problem.

Too Much Air

Conversely, too much air in the water pressure tank also can cause the pump to behave strangely. This problem can arise because of overcharging the system. You should avoid overcharging because it can damage the tank and the bladder.

How to Remove Excess Air

If you think your pump is overcharged, you need to let out the excess air trapped inside the tank. For that, shut down the system and remove all the water from the tank. Then reset the air charge to factory specified pressure.

Water Pressure Control Switch Problem

Water pressure control switch failure can prevent the pump from turning on or off at all as well as can lead to intermittent pump cycling. Such failure can occur if the switch contacts are burned up, or the rubber disk inside the switch gets ruptured.

Moreover, the switch can get clogged up with debris and sediment due to the smaller diameter of the tubing. This problem may occur if the water has a high level of minerals or debris. If the pressure sensing orifice gets clogged, it can respond inaccurately to water pressure change or not respond at all.

How to Fix the Water Pressure Control Switch

Usually, if you detect a faulty switch, or find any clogging in the tube, you have no choice but to replace them with new ones. You can try tapping the switch and there is a slight chance it starts working again, but it is not a reliable or long-lasting solution.

Clogged Water Filter

A clogged water filter can cause a blockage in water flow between the pump and the water tank, which can make the well-pump keep cycling even if there is no water running. You can easily find out if any water filter is clogged by opening the bypass valve.

If there is no bypass valve, remove the water filter cartridge from its canister. If the problem stops, you may have a clogged water filter.

How to Fix a Clogged Water Filter

If you suspect a clogged water filter after initial diagnosis, change the water filter cartridge. If the cycling problem is still not solved, there is a possibility that the same debris that has clogged the water filter has clogged the water pressure switch too.

Blocked Water Supply

A blocked water supply can occur due to pipe obstruction, blocked pipe, any closed or broken valve in the machine. If it is kept ignored, the blockage can bring variation in the water pressure inside the water vessel. This may hamper the balance of the system and cause the pump to cycle intermittently.

If you detect a blockage in the pipes, fix them quickly. Also, check if there is a closed or broken valve in the system and fix them.

Pump Pressure Control Switch Malfunctions

When a submersible pump experiences short cycling, it’s often a sign of an issue with the pump pressure control switch or an imbalance in the system’s air pressure. This vital component regulates when the pump kicks on and off, maintaining the water supply piping’s pressure at a consistent level.

A malfunctioning switch can cause the pump to cycle on and off rapidly, even when there’s no water running. It’s crucial to check the pressure gauge for any irregularities that might indicate an air leak or a problem with the pump control switch itself. Addressing these issues not only ensures a steady water supply but also extends the lifespan of your pump by preventing unnecessary strain.

FAQs

1. Why is my well-pump not building pressure?

Answer: If there is internal damage in the pump, such as a damaged bearing or impeller, the motor will continue to run, but the pump will not be able to build pressure. This problem can also occur due to debris and sediment clogging in the pump components.

2. How do you know if your well-pump pressure switch is bad?

Answer: You can detect a faulty well pump pressure switch if the pump doesn’t turn off when the water pressure is at or above cut-out pressure, if the pump doesn’t start on appropriate turn-in pressure or if your pump runs at low water pressure.

3. What is intermittent well-pump cycling?

Answer: Intermittent cycling of a well-pump means that the pumps cycle on and off for no apparent reason, even when there is no water running. 

Final Thoughts

You can avoid intermittent cycling of a well-pump by following regular maintenance procedures. But if you still face such an issue, and the DIY remedies don’t solve the intermittent cycling problem, it is better to seek the help of a professional for advanced solutions. You also might have a problem with the main water line, and you have to fix it.