Heating is making a noise but isn't on!

statman

Although my heating is is off (ie via the timer), and my boiler is not firing there still is a pump whirring away! There is no heating nor hot water required so I am wondering why something is working?
Does anybody know whether this is something that should be happening or is it time to clear the area?

Little_John

could it be a frost protection system? keep the water moving so it cant freeze?

ariba10

There should be a master switch that cuts off all power to the boiler. Have you tried that?.

glendam

Ours was making that noise called the central heating man and he said sometimes grit gets stuck in pump and it may just work through. But if it has been going on a while it may be damaged and it will need replacing. It just isnt shutting down properly.
Glenda

plumb1_2

You could have fault with your Programmer or Motorised valve, as the pump will only run if it is getting a power supply.

statman

Thanks to all replies! Just back from work.
Little John - that sounds good and plausible
ariba10 - Yes if I turn the power off to the boiler it does stop
glendam - that sounds worse
plumb1 - is there a way of testing it? The thing that is making the noise has a manual and an auto slider, when I try to move it to manual it slowly moves back to auto.
Could it just be the Little John frost protection (although I can't remember this happening before) ???