I have a Thetford C200 CWE toilet in my caravan. The van has not been used over winter, and I now find that the toilet will not flush. The 3a fuse is OK, and the 12v light in the washroom dims slightly when the toilet flush is pressed. I suspect that the pump has siezed but I do not know how to access it. Can anyone help, please?
many thanks
Les Bufton

Les Bufton, March 2008

Thanks folks. My C200 CWE wouldn’t flush. Followed the instructions here and hey presto, it flushes now. Very pleased and thankful to the advice on here. Happy caravanning everyone.

Peter, April 2019

I've also been trying to resolve a lack of flushing and have found the notes here quite useful. So far I've eliminated:
The pump by passing 12v direct to it and it works.
Checked the power at the terminal block.
Checked the fuse and run the pump with a direct feed from the fuse.
Bypassed the switch but there seems to be no power on the supply coming up from below.

I'm at a loss to understand what is stopping the power getting through from the fuse. I've looked at trying run a new wire through but it seems a bit inaccessible.

Anybody got any bright ideas?

Richard, May 2015

where do you put the water to flush

sheila, February 2015

Thank you all and utube! My panic gone before we set off in our camper, it worked! No bucket required. A very simple operation requiring a broad screwdriver, a standard cross screwdriver, mastic and WD 40. Impeller released in minutes and running sweetly. My local caravan dealer made it sound a huge job requiring parts etc.

bevmick, August 2013

Thanks, my c200 pump was running, but did not flush. I removed THE pump by gentle removing the cover holding the blue button.
The pump was running, however nothing came out. Removed the hose from the pump and noticed dirt in the hose.
The pump itself had a crack, but Still works.
After dirt removal, the pump worked and the toilet flushed again. All max. 15 min of efforts .

Roger, August 2013

I feel it could be the pink additive causing the problem...we had decided to try the napisan soaker, we have heard you can use the no name brand as well, it is just as good...2 tablespoons in top and 2 tablespoons in bottom tank....we spoke to a couple recently who only use bi-carb soda they said it works and would not use anything else

Gilbert, June 2013

After winter storage mine was the same,it would not flush when the button was pressed. I checked the fuse and then contacted Thetford who said it must be the pump. ( which is now over £30 ) Having read all the tips on what to do I had a go.Not the easiest job but it has worked, I found that using wd40 and leaving it for 10 minutes helped a great deal ( the impeller can be difficult to move initially but persevere gently) Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Graham, April 2013

I have the same problem in that it will not flush. I can hear a clicking noise when I press the button but nothing happens. It worked OK at Easter but not when on holiday last week.

The fuse is OK.

I guess it may be the same fault. Will try as suggested.

Thanks

Steve P, August 2012

Thanks for that info on the C-200 back working in less then 10 mins first class info

Steve F, May 2012

Thanks to Mike F. I followed your instructions and have got the Thetford to work (for the first time in 2 years!)

Phil D, May 2011

Exactly the same for me on the first trip out in van this year and no toilet! Thanks to Keith July 2008 it's now burning and turning!

Woody74, March 2011

This might be of use to first time motorhomers. We have only had ours for a couple of weeks and are gradually sussing things out. I emptied, cleaned and refilled the toilet today, but couldn't get it to flush. Hadn't realised it was an electric pump and that YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE 12 VOLT SYSTEM ON. We had turned it off when parked because the battery had been flat when we arrived at our last campsite !!!!

alitalisman, August 2010

hi all i am new to caravaning and dont have a clue whats what yet, i found my van to have the same problem with the flush, thanks for advice i resolved the problem within 5 minutes. craig in doncaster

craig, June 2010

Thank you all for your advice about the faulty toilet switch. In particular, in my case,Rob and George’s advice where to locate, and how to mend the pump. Spot on!!

Douglas., May 2010

where is fuse for these toilets

teasyd, May 2010

Hi, Follow Tony and Keith's advice for accessing the pump. Mine was really seized but I managed to release it by spraying WD40 into the impeller while turning with a small screwdriver.

Mike F, July 2009

Unscrew the two small screws either side of the flush button. Prise off the curved plastic plate carefully - it is masticked down. Unscrew the two stainless steel screws holding the nylon bracket to the front of the tank, then undo the two at the back. You can leave the two in the middle - they just hold down the support pillars. You will see the pump in the tank on the left at the end of the water tube. Lift it and its associated pipes and cables out of the tank carefully, the two plastic brackets that hook the pipe in place are really brittle and tend to snap. You can see the impellor at the base of the pump. Since the lights dim it is active but jammed. Use a small screwdriver to rotate it anti clockwise. Detritus in the tank tends to jam it - there really should be some sort of mesh screen filter at the mouth of the external filler, but, hey ho hey ho, there isn't. It should take two or three attempts to unjam it. It took me fifteen minutes of patient wiggling and pressing the flush button very briefly several times - you don't really want to run it when it is dry for too long. If that fails then it is about £26 to replace it, look at the Net to get a good deal. Have fun.

Tony McLean, June 2009

I have just replaced the electric flush pump in my C-200 CWE caravan toilet. The three amp fuse in the waste tank well kept blowing and I realised that the pump had probably ceased up because I had not drained the flush tank for the winter.
With a screwdriver very gently prize off the bexel containing the blue flush button being careful not to damage the plastic surround. It is held down by mastic and a couple of push fit plastic fittings.
You will then see a plastic adapter plate held down by four stainless steel screws. Remove screws and plate. You can then see into the flush tank. The pump is held in place by a push fit bracket and the supply pipe also has two plastic retainers. Ease pump and pipe from their position and you can then lift the whole assembly out of the tank .
Sometimes you can free off the pump impeller by turning it with a screwdriver but mine was useless and I had to buy a new one.
Hope this helps.

Keith, July 2008

the pump is under the toilet roll holder,sit on the toilet and the toilet roll holder is on your left simply pull the whole thing out and then you will see the pump. george

george ., July 2008

Look at www.thetford-europe.com. It has a picture step by step guide how to replace parts on the theford toilets.

vanessa, April 2008

having read another forum i belive the pump is under the toilet paper holder

og, April 2008

I have the same problem with the cassette toilet, just happened this weekend. Would love to know how you get to the pump if you manage it.

Nick, March 2008

Thanks for your comments, Rob. Sorry if my question is in the wrong section - haven't used this forum before and navigation is not easy! I downloaded the manual from Thetford before I posed my question, but it doesn't even show where the pump is, let alone how to access it.

Les Bufton, March 2008

One thing I forgot to add that is A: Your question should have been in the motor homes and caravan section not in the DIY section being a cassette toilet.
B: If you do find out how to access the pump then with respect please put it in the Motor homes and Caravan section where they would expect to see it. Thank you.

Rob, March 2008

go to www.thetford.com
click on and hold PRODUCTS select PERMANENT TOILETS click on the model [Middle picture, top model on list ] and click on third one down on the right MANUAL and down load the models manual.
From your description the pump appears to be jammed. If you get to it take it out if the barrel type [like the fresh water one] turn it upside down and gently free the impeller with a small screw driver, keep turning it until it runs free. Place it back in make sure you fill the tank or at least cover the base of the pump and try again. I've helped six others with the older type fixed cassette toilets, lights dim means current is getting to the pump but of course not turning it. Remember never try running any submersable pump dry. Sorry but I've never seen one let alone worked on one so can't advise how to get to pump. Once you find out how to access the pump perhaps you could post it on this forum and it might help someone else.

Rob, March 2008