my liberty sump pump (model S35) was working great. I had plugged it manually and forgot. About 4 hours later, I remembered that the pump was still powered on. The water had been completely drained and I think that the pump had been still running for about 4 hours or so with no water left. I noticed that the motor had stopped. I tried to re-plug it to restart but it wont start. I waited some hours because it has thermal protection but it still wont start. Is it possible that the motor burnt out? Is there anything that I should try to get it going again? The power outlet is fine. I dont know the 1st thing about mechanics.

 

Your pump should have a built in float switch. When it emptied the sump, it should turn itself off. If you want to test it, dump some water into the sump and see if the pump switches itself back on.

 

I put the sump pump into a large bucket of water and plugged it into the socket. is that what you meant (sorry i don't know anything ...). Nothing happens. No humming of the motor or anything.

just a thought ... should i be taking the hose where the water runs out, off? would that make any difference to get the pump started?

 

Your pump has a Automatic Diaphragm Switch built into the pump. Put the pump back in the pit and add water to the pit. The water will need to be over the pump, maybe 6-10", for it to start.

Link to your pump.
http://www.paulsupply.com/files/LibertyS35.pdf

 

Did that this morning and the sump pump doesn't start. nothing happens.

 

Is there anything else I could try? Suggestions? Comments?

 

That pump is supposed to turn itself off when the water level is low.

You said I forgot to unplug the pump.
Did you only plug the unit in when you needed it and unplug it when not needed ?

That would make it seem like that pump either has no automatic on/off feature like the manufacturers information suggests or the switch was defective and stuck on.

If.... in the past .... when you plugged in the pump out of water ...... did it run ?

If it did ...... it sounds like it may have been overheated sitting there running with no water.

It's basically not a user serviceable device.

 

It has two cords coming from the pump. One is automatic (the pump runs on auto) and one is manual (one can control the on/off function). The automatic wasn't working anymore (or the motor wouldn't start because the water level wasn't high enough) so I used the manual cord to power the sump pump. What happens if the motor overheated sitting there with no running water (it was very hot on the sides of the pump)? Would the thermal protection have gone on or does that mean that the motor is toast? Sorry, don't know what user servicable device means . I am wondering if there is anything that I do as to decide whether to keep it or say good-bye (any tests, or anything). Thank you

What kind of pump do I need for a situation where it only has to come on when the water reaches about 2" and should shut off by itself otherwise? The sump pump above is submersible and I think it wasn't the right one for what I need. Is a utility pump better? I don't want another one that just burns out when the water disappears and the water level never gets much higher than about 6" max.

 

That information is certainly more helpful.

Apparently the info on the manufacturers website did not pertain to your pump even though they were the same model numbers.

One cord is just a plug from the pump and the other cord is a plug and socket (from the float).
You would plug the pump into the float switch and it would become an automatic sump pump. It would need 6"-12" of water over the pump to activate the switch.

Since you ran the pump for several hours without water I'm sure it's dead. I open and rebuild them but there are no user serviceable parts or service info available. They are considered a disposable item.

There really isn't a sump pump, that I know of, that will come on with two inches of water automatically.

 

Thanks a lot for your help :-) looks like I have to say good-bye to my pump :-(