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This article will provide you with all the possible reasons as to why your Bostitch air compressor will not shut down, and Bostitch air compressor troubleshooting tips to help you resolve this issue, along with existing reader problems and responses.
Table of Contents
- Reasons Bostitch Air Compressor Won’t Shut Off
- Additional Bostitch Pages
- Reader Questions & Responses
Reasons Bostitch Air Compressor Won’t Shut Off
Here are some of the most common reasons why your Bostitch air compressor may not be shutting off, summarized in the table below with some tips!
| Reason | Tip |
|---|---|
| Air leaks | You must confirm whether or not there is a leak by listening for hissing sounds around the whole system or looking for holes on the side of the tank. |
| Broken air gauges | A broken air gauge is another common problem that could cause an air compressor to not turn off. When it’s working, the pressure gauge will steadily rise until it reaches the compressor’s cut-out setting. |
| Dirty filters | It’s possible that your compressed air system’s filters are becoming clogged, affecting airflow and leading to your air compressor not shutting down. |
| Motor problems | If the pressure inside your tank rises but then stops before it reaches the set cut-out pressure, but your compressor motor continues to run, then it is more than likely that you have a problem with the compressor pump itself. |
| Pressure relief valve failure | If the PRV gets stuck closed, worst case the tank could eventually explode. The PRV could also become stuck open, preventing the tank from being able to reach its cut-out pressure. |
| Pressure switch problems | It could be that you have a faulty pressure switch that is not switching when the cut-out pressure is reached. Replace. |
| Underpowered extension cord | An extension cord may hamper your air compressor’s performance, blocking it from being able to reach the cut-out pressure and thus causing the air compressor to not shut off. |
Please visit our Air Compressor Won’t Turn Off – Fixing A Compressor That Won’t Stop Running for far more detailed information on this topic!
Additional Bostitch Pages
- Bostitch Air Compressor Won’t Stay Running
- Bostitch Air compressor Won’t Shut Off
- Bostitch Compressor Oil – Choosing Oil, How Much To Use & Changing Oil
Reader Questions & Responses
Bostitch Air Compressor Won’t Turn Off – Bostitch Air Compressor Troubleshooting
Question
New Bostitch pancake doesn’t shut off when it reaches pressure. Are the new pancake compressors supposed to continuously run !!
Bought a Sanborn and it wouldn’t shut off when it reached pressure so took it back and bought a Bostitch and the same thing, what am I missing !!
Response
Hi Ridgway.
Since you still have the Bostitch, what is happening to the air pressure in the tank? Is it still building past the normal cut-out pressure level…?
Let me know as a comment here, please, and then we can pursue the reason.
If you have any questions regarding Bostitch air compressors not shutting off, please leave a comment below with a photo if applicable so that someone can help you!
One last trick was I plugged the safety release valve and as it turns out, the pressure sensor was working fine, but the pressure safety valve was blowing just before the sensor would have shut off the compressor. I’ve ordered a replacement valve and that should be that! Thanks to you for holding this forum!
I have a Bostitch Cap1512-OF and the compressor continues to build pressure til the relief valve blows. I’ve replaced the pressure sensor with a new one and cleaned the connectors and same problem. What next? Any way to dial down the pressure sensor? Thanks
“Any way to dial down the pressure sensor?”
Not to my knowledge. Fixed by the factory.
At what pressure does it blow? If that pressure is at or below the normal cut-out pressure, then the PRV is bad. You can try cleaning it – it should not have any lube on it. If that doesn’t help, you’ll need a new PRV. The rating should be stamped on it.
Hi and thanks for your reply. I should have mentioned that but it blows at about 155-158 #, so its not the PRV. I replaced the pressure sensor switch and it still blows at the same levels, so I’m thinking the new switch is defective and have ordered another switch. I’m not a mechanic but it appears there is no other obvious part on that compressor that I can replace/adjust that would address this issue.
Thank you for any insights,
Paul k
Right.
You are on the right track.
Is the replacement that you have marked?
It could be the wrong part (say 145-175), or just defective.
Anyway, hopefully the next one will work as expected.
I have a 1yr old bostitch air compressor it will build initial pressure then stop but will let the tank run to empty and not build up pressure. I have to unplug and restart, then it will again fill the tank and stop. do i need a new pressure valve?
“do i need a new pressure valve?” I don’t know what that is.
If you mean pressure switch, maybe.
If you mean check valve, more likely.
What model do you have?
Pan compressor 150 psi 6 gal 2.6scfm
Either an actual model, or a pic or three, please.
Model number BTFP02022.
Still not the model number, but I’m gonna guess it’s a BTFP02012.
Looks like you’ve got a bad check valve. It’s the thing on the tank that has a hose going into it. Try removing the hose and then the valve. It should pass air from the hose end, but block air from the tank end. If it doesn’t block, then see if you can get it apart and clean/fix it. If it then blocks, reassemble and test. If it still doesn’t block, and you can’t fix it, you’ll need to buy a new one.
Good luck.
Thanks
Iam having same problem with my bostitch 150 psi air compressor.
What should I do?
Same as what we told tom.
Or, go here:
find your symptom, do the checks.
Stumped? Tell us what you checked (and your exact model number) and we can go from there.
I replaced the check valve. Which was way hard to find. It only pressures up to 70 so it’s hitting the trash. I’ll get a different one. One you can find parts for.
Good plan…