Hi Mike~

First a question…Have you turned on the pump breaker ?…Or is this an Ocean Yacht (Many Ocean Yachts powered the pump relay from the main salon breaker)

Second…The pump relay has nothing to do with the compressors starting…It only gets a signal from those compressors, and then starts the pump.

The click you hear is not the pump relay, but what you hear is likely the reversing valve switching before compressor start (this is normal) Pump relays have been solid state for many years and therefore don't click.

I can't really answer your question, without knowing the answer to my first question….This is why I ask in the Read before posting questions thread…What brand, year & model boat…I don't know them all, but many times it helps to get you a quicker answer.

If the pump breaker is on…Then again to know how old the boat is might tell me if the pump relay box has a fuse in it…Older models did…Have you checked the fuse ?

Next is do you have a meter & can you check for voltage going out to the pump…Do you know what voltage the pump is ?…Again knowing what boat can help me know that without asking….(most times)

To answer with a guess….It's either…No power to the pump relay, a bad fuse in the pump relay, or a bad pump….

It's unlikely that none of the three systems would start the pump, unless it's any one of the three guesses above…

Steve~

Yes that relay should have a Model PR8X on it's face (Could be a PR3X too)….Not sure on a 97 model year (that's right around when they changed)

If it's a PR8X There is a twist out tube type automotive fuse that the fuse holder cap is black & located at the top left of the box…

No need to remove the cover on the older PR8X's to remove the fuse, but do shut off the Salon A/C breaker before attempting to take it out to avoid getting shocked if it's good (It wouldn't shock you if it's bad)

Some PR3X boxes had a in-line fuse inside that was in a rubberized holder with a plastic/rubberized cap, you removed the cap to find the later type automotive two prong push in fuse…

Either type was 10 amp and they would blow if the pump motor stuck from non-use…

Since your boat has no pump breaker…I'd almost guarantee there is a fuse to protect the pump wire from burning up…

If there was pump breaker it would be sized to do the protecting, but since Ocean wires to the salon A/C breaker…That breaker is sized to protect the larger wire of the compressor circuit and may not trip for a pump…

And Yes….The pump should come on with any compressor….Unless there is a bad fuse or a bad/stuck pump motor…

I can post a troubleshooting link for pump relays but I really don't believe that is your issue since None of the units will start the pump…

A voltmeter can tell you if you have voltage going out to the pump…Every DIY boater should have one around…They are cheap at Home stores & Radio Shack…

Steve~

Post edited 1:03 pm – September 14, 2011 by Steve Pooler

Sorry Mike…Though the ones that wrap around a wire can be helpful to know if anything is there at all (for safety checks)

They aren't really that good for troubleshooting…They don't tell you how much voltage is there…They will light up with as little as a few volts…But that may not be enough to run whatever you want to run….

But look for a fuse first…

Steve~