Ejector Pump with Diaphram Switch won't stop

I have an ejector pit for humidifier water and a half bath in the basement. Hardly ever use the bathroom. This 12 year old pump now starts and then does not shut off. If we blow into the little white tube sticking out of the electric plug it shuts off until the next time it starts. So now we just plug it in a couple times per day to empty the pit.

Question: I am not very good with these things, but cannot find a diaphram switch at Home Depot or other hardware stores. Is this an unusual switch? Do I need to buy a whole new pump? Thanks.

M.E.

Just the mention of 12 years is enough to consider a new pump. If you are not willing to do this, remove the cover and let the pump do a total draw-down and see how much junk/gunk is in the pit. The debri in the pit may be partly to blame, no way of knowing.

If the pump works when you actuate the switch, maybe the switch is bad.

If you can get at the wiring to the pump, so you could replace the switch with a cord with a plug, you can get a float switch at HD that will operate the pump. The float switch cord is attached to the pipe with a Ty-Rap at a level that will control the pump.

The float switches usually have a special plug that has a receptacle on the back. You plug the switch into an outlet, and plug the pump into the back of the plug on the switch.

The only issue is usually that you must be able to make a waterproof connection of a cord to the motor. You might be able to accomplish that within the failed switch by locking the switch on in some way and plugging the pump cord into your new switch.

switch

That is a problem when moisture gets into the air relief tube. One cause can be that the plug inserts into the receptacle with the tube facing upward, or it could have just occured because of the passage of time. There is no way to get it out without disassembling the switch, and that often creates a different problem. It is a special switch, and may only be available from the manufacturer these days.