www.iFourWinns.com

I thought my forward bilge pump was bad- after all, turning on the DC breaker "Forward Bilge Pump" and manually tripping the float in the "automatic bilge pump" did not turn on the pump. Bought a new automatic bilge pump, wired it up, nothing!

Im not getting any 12v power to the bilge pump. I checked the wiring harness and cannot find any problems. I will start probing with a multimeter tomorrow.

To other late 90's 278 Vista's - do you have a switch for the forward bilge pump, besides the DC breaker switch? I was surprised that I dont have any kind of switch to manually turn it on or off like the aft bilge pump (theres a rocker switch at the helm for that one).

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Our 97 278 is still new to us but we too only have a breaker switch on Panel by stairs. There is none on helm dash. When breaker is switched on pump goes on right away not sure if I have a float on the pump or if its faulty.

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

Check the connectors coming from the pump as far astern as you can. The connectors on mine corroded, but I did find a few of them. I would use a meter to see were you are losing power.

Just to update this thread, Four Winns did not supply power to the forward bilge pump breaker

Added a power wire, works like a charm now. I cringe though, thinking of what could have happened if the thru-hulls or the sea strainer for my generator in the forward compartment where my forward bilge pump sits ever gave way before I fixed the power issue...

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Glad you got that fixed. Does your forward bilge have a float switch? i dont think mine does- just a switch on the panel.

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

Yeah me too!!

Yes, the original bilge pump I removed had an automatic float built into the pump and so does the one I bought and installed.

The breaker switch is the "Manual on" switch. The pump always receives 12v whether the breaker is on or not, and stays in "Automatic" mode.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21