Thetford Toilet pump failure

Hello, the pump on the toilet has stopped working on our 2006 Symbol.
My husband has located the pump but the sealed 12V supply seems to run back to the press and turn unit, which does not seem to be accessible.
If we remove the sealed coving around the seat/top assembly will this be detachable from the body of the unit and can we check the 12V supply there?
We are some way from a service agent.
Thanks 
Vivienne

Check fuse first if you haven't already done so and replace if necessary and then if you have access to the pump move the impeller with a small screwdriver to free it up and hopefully it should be ok.Here is a video of how to do it.

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John

Is it a Thetford 402? [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Talisman John wrote:Check fuse first if you haven't already done so and replace if necessary and then if you have access to the pump move the impeller with a small screwdriver to free it up and hopefully it should be ok.Here is a video of how to do it.

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John

That video is absolutely golden. It will surely be very helpful to the OP.
I am keeping a copy for if I ever have problems.

AutoSleepy_Don wrote:

Talisman John wrote:Check fuse first if you haven't already done so and replace if necessary and then if you have access to the pump move the impeller with a small screwdriver to free it up and hopefully it should be ok.Here is a video of how to do it.

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John

That video is absolutely golden. It will surely be very helpful to the OP.
I am keeping a copy for if I ever have problems.

I agree, I have memorised it! (Ihope)

Thanks for replies, unfortunately it is not the "Blue Button" type but an earlier,presumably, one with a large rotary control on the left with a press down to flush.
I don't know where a fuse would be for this.
All other 12V functions are normal.
I suspect the submersible pump but need to access the "turn and press" unit.
Viv

Might be a C2/3/4? [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

If the bench has a toilet roll holder on the right pull that out and the pump is underneath. At least it was in our 2003 Symbol. you could lift the pump out and clean it. Cannot remember where the fuse was but it was a bladed auto fuse. I think accessible from the outside door.
It is a C2. Thanks to Ploughlins link.
Looking at the exploded diagram it is 61A. The picture shows the unit upside down!

The old model has a gauge and a shower proof toilet roll holder so the old model seems better than the new one?

I think so Don. Plus you can flush it one-handed.

The fuse is inside the cassette compartment, open the outside door and look up to the left near the roof of the compartment about a 1/4 away along, you will see a fuse, if ok.

 Inside take out the toilet roll holder and underneath  on the left, was on mine, you will see the pump, may be in water, pull it out gently, if propellers do not rotate, mine didn`t with a small screw driver, I replaced the pump. not expensive, mine was about £12  but that was over 5 years ago.

Good luck.
Best wishes,
Margaret

Thanks Margaret, and others, the 3A fuse was blown. I will get a couple of replacements tomorrow and test.
Quite well hidden in my view and nothing to tell you where it is.
Best wishes
Viv

Just for general info.
We had a mystery fault with our Warwick’s Thetford. A fuse that tested as ok on a test meter however when fitted was actually broken, not burnt out. Took a bit of finding!

If the fuse blows again, it's likely that the impeller is sticking as above.

The pump is exactly where Margaret says, but it might have a small cross head screw holding it down.

As it's a newer toilet, the readily available replacement pumps should be a drop in fit.

You might have to cut the old cable and splice the new one in in the cassette compartment.

I had this happen on an old van, fuse blowing, found after getting at the pump under the toilet roll holder, that it got gloged up, flushed out spin impeller and away you go all good, hope the same works for you, best of luck,
Phil

The impeller sometimes jams because of the black scale that forms when leaving the pink flush fluid in the flush tank.

I (destructively) dismantled our old pump that kept jamming, and found that the black scale was all over the pump shaft, bearings and back of the impeller.

Being a tightwad, I was retrospectively happy that a new pump had been warranted, as I couldn't have repaired it satisfactorily.

Morning 
I had the same problem with the sigma 
The pump is in the holding tank the bottom of the tank was full of sluge  and jamming  the impela 
after cleaning the pump and tank  it works perfectly 
Now I flush the tank on a regular basis pouring water in the top and 
Leting it run out the drain at the bottom and sometimes see sluge coming out  it don't take long and better then having to take it to bits on site
Jim

Thanks to all, I replaced the fuse and ran the pump out of the tank ok.
It was very awkward re-fitting it due to the outlet hose having gone very stiff.
Fingers crossed.
Thanks again
Viv

Thank you John. Same here, a very valuable video. Keeping a copy, may need it one day, especially given I have previously used the sludge forming pink stuff.

On a rider to this my pump failed as did the control panel, the newer van has a bad design allowing water to creep into the control panel housing and in my case corroding not only the board connections but the four wire cable plug which runs the pump. Stand by for more problems in the summer especially if you use the shower in the van.
 I need a new 4 wire plug to fit on the control panel. The plug is a Insulation Displacement Connector. Tried Ebay, RS and Farnell with on luck. Thetford UK can't help so on to Thetford Holland and still awaiting a reply. Has anyone had this problem, my dealer says no but I don't believe them.

Hi all,
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. We are currently in France and the flush was not working. Do not use the pump in the cold weather to save draining down each time. So went to use for first time and found the pump seized. Dismantled as per thread moved impeller round bit of wd40 and now working. Tank does need a good clean though but will do that when get home.
Thanks,
Jerry