How to Reset Well Pump Pressure Switch without Lever?

Many people have issues with water not coming out of the faucets in their houses. This happens primarily due to the well pump pressure switch, and resetting it can fix the issue. However, the lever for resetting may be jammed sometimes.

This is why many people ask how to reset well pump pressure switch without lever. There are many ways to do this, but the simplest one is to reset the switch with a screwdriver and replace the pump controller.

There’s much more to it, though. So today, we’ll go over how to reset it in detail, its functions, and more. Without further ado, let’s begin.

What Is A Well Pump Pressure Switch?

Before we begin on how to reset the well pump pressure switch, it’s essential to know what it is. It’s a switch that sends signals to the well pump and tells it to start or cease pumping, depending on the pressure inside the water system.

So if this isn’t working properly, you can get no water from your faucets. You can fix this by resetting the pressure switch or replacing it.

How to Detect Problems with Your Pressure Switch

Here’s a list of all the ways you can detect whether you have issues with your pressure switch or not —

Common Symptoms

If you have these symptoms, you might have issues with your pressure switch —

The pump isn’t turning off even after the pressure is higher than the cut-out pressure.
When the pump isn’t turning on, but the cut-out pressure is normal.
While working, the pump cycles on and off.
Even with the pump running, you get low water pressure.

Check For Leaks

If your pump is leaking, then you probably have an issue with the pressure switch. This is because if water builds up on your pressure switch from leaks, it can make it malfunction.

You can check if you have any leaks by accessing the plastic outer layer covering the top of the switch. Just take a screwdriver and unscrew it by rotating it clockwise, and you can quickly check for leaks.

Turn Off Your Power

Turn your power off, and remove the beakers that power the well pump. From there, you can go to your pump’s circuit breaker and turn the power off. If the circuit continuously trips, you might have an issue with your pressure switch.

Check Electrical Contacts

To check your electrical contacts, first, disconnect the internal spring. Then pull out the electrical contacts from the pump. If you notice that your water pressure is still low and the switch doesn’t close, you probably have a damaged switch and need to reset it.

Test For a Bad Connection

Testing for a bad connection is one of the most viable ways to check if you have problems with your pressure switch.

To do this, you need to turn the power on when the corner is removed and take a screwdriver and handle. After that, tap against the tube slowly below the switch to spin the contacts.

If you see that the pump powers on and you notice sparks, you have a damaged pump pressure switch. A damaged controller can cause this, too.

Cycle Your Water Pump

Cycling turns on the faucet closest to the water pump. If you see the water pressure dropping or being low, the pressure switch is probably damaged or faulty, and the internal spring has gone bad.

Check The Pump’s Metal Discs

Your well pump has metal discs within it. Pull out these discs and check for any burns or if they’re pitted out. You can know that your pressure switch is faulty if the contacts are damaged.

How to Reset Well Pump Pressure Switch without Lever

Now that you know the symptoms and how to check if your pressure switch is faulty or damaged, here’s a step-by-step guide on resetting the switch without the lever —-

1. Turn the Power On

Firstly, make sure that the power is turned on since you can’t reset it when the power is turned off. There should be a button to turn it on and off simply, but if that’s not working, you can check for a tripping double-pole circuit breaker and reset it.

2. Check Your Pressure Switch Itself

Afterward, you should check the pressure switch. Take a screwdriver and bang the handle against the tube located below the switch carefully. This will jar your electrical contacts.

Now you should check for sparks. Usually, you shouldn’t see any, and you can reset the switch immediately. But if you do see sparks, the pressure switch is damaged, and you need to replace it.

3. Temporarily Reset It

If your electric contacts are pitted or burned, the pressure switch will keep kicking on when you bang on a tube. This causes a poor connection and can cause water flow issues. So until you can replace the switch, you should temporarily reset it.

To do this, first, make sure that the power is turned off. Double-check this with a voltage tester. Then take a nail file and file off any burned or pitted areas.

Finally, open the contacts. This can last for long enough to let you buy a replacement immediately.

4. Replace the Pump Controller

If your pump controller is faulty, you need to reset the pressure switch to make the pump function. So it’s necessary to replace the controller in this case, and you can do it by disconnecting the pump cover first.

Then lift the box off and remove the screw at the bottom. This should help you disconnect it.

Now get a replacement for the controller and put the new one in the old box. You usually won’t need to rewire it if you buy it from the same brand, but if not, you need to rewire it yourself manually.

5. Check The Pump’s Air Condition

Waterlogged tanks are commonly found when you have a problem with the pressure switch. If this is the case, you can reset the switch by following first locating the air valve at the top of the tank. Then take a screwdriver and unscrew the plastic top.

Afterward, check for any water coming out and use the screwdriver to depress the air valve again. If water is coming out, then the switch has been successfully reset.

6. Replace the Pressure Switch

In the worst-case scenario, when the pressure pump switch is destroyed, you need to replace the switch entirely to reset the pump. This step can be super complicated, so we recommend you get a professional.

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FAQs

How do you reset a pressure switch with the lever?

If your lever isn’t jammed, you can simply reset the pressure switch by holding it at the start position. After that, wait until the pressure builds up over 40 PSI. Then switch it back to the “AUTO” position.

Can you run well pumps without the pressure switch?

You can run a well pump without the pressure switch, but we highly recommend you not to. This is because it’s one of the most critical parts of your well pump to ensure you get water properly.

How much does it cost to replace a pressure switch?

Usually, replacing the pressure switch can take about $20 to $40, excluding the service call. But in the worst-case scenario, you’ll need to replace the tank. This can cost $250 to $500, excluding the installation cost. So you should make sure that you inspect your well and its parts annually, as it can save you a lot of money.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you have a good idea of how to reset the well pump pressure switch without the lever. There are many ways to do so but to do them all, you need a screwdriver first.

If the parts aren’t damaged, you can simply use the capacitor to reset the switch without a lever. You’ll need to replace all the damaged parts to reset it, though. If you want a video explanation of this, you can check out the top YouTube video by AdvancedPumpService.

But as a final tip, we highly recommend you to get a professional to replace any damaged parts. This is because it’s incredibly easy to hurt yourself when dealing with well pumps. But with that being said, good luck, and cheers!

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How to Reset Well Pump Pressure Switch without Lever?

What Is A Well Pump Pressure Switch?