Baitwell Pump problem too

[rdrsteve]

I also have a pump that has quit working, and am having 2 problems. First, how do you get the steering wheel off to pull the front panel down to check electrical problems? I take the big nut off but it still won't come off, is there another nut,bolt or something holding it? Second it looks like the pump itself is in a unaccessible place, with only a small circular hole just in front of the engine as the access to it? How do I reach it ? I can't even fit my arm down that hole. The engine doesn't have to come off does it? Mine is an 06 with a 75ETEC.

[fridaysoff]

RDRSTEVE,
I had a 2004 170CC. My instrument panel could be removed by taking out about 8 screws around the edge of it. You should be able to pull out the panel and lay it on your console to work on it without removing the steering wheel. The baitwell pump is in another world. You need to find a smart child to reach down there to help out. I bought a larger access panel from boaters world and made the hole larger to fit it. You can take the screws out of the access panel and remove it. That should make the hole a bit larger.While its out put a bigger one in. Make sure that the pump did not kick the breaker because it lost prime. The fuse for it is the little rubber knob under the switch.Just push it in to reset the fuse. Good luck.
John D.

[rdrsteve]

That didn't work,just like I remembered from trying it last time. The steering wheel prevents the panel from coming down. I took off all 8 screws,the 2 supporting the black plastic the steering wheel sits on and the steering wheel nut. I cannot bend the panel enough on the side the switches are on to reach the breaker. Kinda p.o. now things are not made easier to work on,especially seeing the access to the pump itself. What a novel idea it would be for some company somewhere to make things easy for the owners of their products to work on! Your tip was appreciated. Anyone else before I go spend $150 I was quoted by my dealer to fix problem?

[Eric G]

Steering wheel has a lock nut that has to come off first. Then there is a keyway, a half-oval piece of metal that needs to be pryed out of the slot. This keyway must come out in order to get steering wheel off. Unfortanately, is is almost impossible. You need a very small dental size pick to "nudge" it out. The pick has to have a bend in it to work (ice pick won't do, its straight shaft). They should grease the keyway before install so its easier to get out. Al manufacters don't do this, from all boats, just one of those things (keep mech in business at $80/labor rate). Once keyway out, the steering is spun off counterclockwise. Steering wheel hub is mounted also by two bolts at 9 and 3 that nned to be removed in order to remove dash pannel.

Easier to be a snake to get the the back of the switches behind dash, less work.

On my 2007 170CC the livewell pump is at bottom of bilge under transom/splashwell deck hatch. There is a sea cock that must be opened in order to draw water into the livewell via the pump. No mention of the seacock in Owner's Manual.

[Troll]

I have had to replace a gas gauge, install a voltage meter and a radio. The first thing I did was remove the drivers seat to make room for me to lay on the deck and work under the dashboard. On my 170 bass there is a drape covering the large hole under the dash board on the console. I removed this so it wouldn't get in my way. I also removed the trolling battery which is placed in the console.

Yes it is work, but removing a dash with all of those wires would seem to me to be more work and possibly dangerous if a wire got damaged.

Troll

[Davekfl]

Hi Troll
I also have a 170 Bass ( 2004) and working under the console is a bear! I permanently removed the
drape hanging down covering the opening. It only got in the way. Whenever I have to check the fluid level in the trolling motor battery, I must remove the battery which isnt easy getting it over the lip on the bottom. I thought about removing the bottom lip on the console so I can just drag the battery out but I am afraid that the bottom lip provides stability for the console. With the battery in place under the console I cant do anything under there. I would love to add a second battery for a 24volt trolling motor but where to put it is a mystery. It must be a funny site watching me work under that console. Most times I am on my back with my butt and legs hanging over the driver side seat up in the air. Not a pretty site!
Davekfl ( Sarasota, Florida)

[rdrsteve]

Thanks for the info everyone, I had the boat out today but it sucks not having a working livewell. i am worried about getting the keyway off and then putting it back right. I was thinking today about improvements that could be made to these boats. They really need better console access, it would have been really easy to have an access hatch behind the front console cushion, a bigger access hatch to reach baitwell pump, better way of attaching baitwell seat. Anyone else have any other ideas? Maybe someone at triumph wouild pay attention to owners and incorporate changes owners suggest. I really love my boat, but would think twice now if upgrading and look for other boats more owner-friendly for basic maintenence such as switch panel,access hatches,etc. You should be able to easily reach things which might go wrong. Just my 2 cents.

[fridaysoff]

RDSTEVE,
You can put larger hatches on your splashwell yourself; it makes it a lot easier to change out your baitwell pump. You can also buy square hatches from boatersworld etc. to put on the front of your console for easier entry. My 2004 170 CC had a hatch on the front of the console. I think it was a lot easier to get to the wiring and guages than it is with the opening on the back side.Good luck with your steering wheel.
John D.

[jconstab]

Before you go through all that work checking the electrical, just buy a new pump and try that first. Seems like a bunch of work just to check the electrical.

Those pumps burn out pretty frequently, even the more expensive ones, so that should be your first step. If you replace the pump and it still doesn't work, then you can try to fix the electrical issue and return the new pump if you want.

[Eric G]

Jconstab - see you launch on the sand like me. Did you install a second winch at the bottom of the winch stand to crank the boat off the trailer. Need a trolley line from the back. Makes a world of difference. FYI.