adjusting trim sender How??

[egyptbruce]

Hi I have a 86 regal, mercruiser 470 engine alpha one outdrive , I replaced the shift cable and the book,selco , said the trim sender should be adjusted , I dont get it at all I also have manual 4 for info on the web also dont get it , I dont have a trim indicator on the dash, I lowered the drive losen the screws on thetrim switch on port side on the outdrive , turned the switch counter cloch wise how do you get the proper distance for the trim clyiders, I dont get it, is this a two person job or what, thanks for any info, bruce

 

[Fishermark]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

Hi I have a 86 mercruiser 470 engine alpha one outdrive , I replaced the shift cable and the book,selco , said the trim sender should be adjusted , I dont get it at all I also have manual 4 for info on the web also dont get it , I dont have a trim indicator on the dash, I lowered the drive losen the screws on thetrim switch on port side on the outdrive , turned the switch counter cloch wise how do you get the proper distance for the trim clyiders, I dont get it, is this a two person job or what, thanks for any info, bruce

If you don't have a trim gauge, then there is no need to worry about adjusting the trim sender.

Now if you are talking about the trim limit (the other side of the outdrive), then that's a different story. What exactly are you trying to do?

PS - I would suggest ditching the Selco manual and downloading the OEM manual. Look at the "adults only" sticky and you will find a link with the right manual.

 

[egyptbruce]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

its the trim limit switch on the port side of the outdrive , there is a sender on the starboard side like you said , where it goes I dont know, my last boat had a trim gague on it and Im familiar with these as I replaced them, I just say that if the trim is not adjusted right it will cause damage to outdrive and not be safe at high speed, in case we go sking, thanks, Bruce

 

[Fishermark]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

Here's some basic info on adjusting the trim limit switch:
Adjusting trim limit

 

[egyptbruce]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

This is why I dont get it, I losen the screws on the trim switch , turn it counterclock wise , lower the outdrive all the way, then try to raise it only using the up switch and nothing happens, if I use the trailer button it goes up , but I can only get the outdrive to go up if I turn the switch back clockwise, then by using the up botton will it rise up, so I cant go any further than this. If and when I get past this, Do I turn the trim switch to extend the trim cylinders to 6 1/2 in will it go by it self , or do I use the control button to do this, the book and the manual just doesnt say, it just say what you should have as a distance

 

[egyptbruce]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

also when it , the outdrive is all the way down its at 4 inch extending of the trim cyl or 18 inch bolt to bolt, Why one manual says 20 and 1/2 and another says 21 3/4 dont know

 

[stonyloam]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

If you don't have a trim position gauge, you don't need to adjust the trim position sender (starboard side). Two people does make it easier, but you can do it by yourself. First you should start over. Position the trim limit switch (port side) back as close to where it was originally as you can. Hop in and trim the outdrive all the way down, then all the way up (do not use the trailer switch). Measure the center to center distance of the bolts that hold the trim cylinder on. It should be 21 3/4 inches. If it is you are all set. If not you have to go through the adjustment procedure. If it is short, you need to loosen the adjustment screws and rotate the switch a small amount counterclockwise tighten, and trim down then up and measure. Repeat until you are at 21 3/4 inches (short of that is OK, long is BAD). If you are long to start with turn the switch clockwise till you are short than do above. With two people you can simply turn the switch all the way clockwise, run the trim down than up, hold the trim switch up and slowly turn the limit switch counterclockwise till you hit 21 3/4. Tighten down the screws, run it up and down once to double check and you are good to go. Sure hope I got that CW CCW stuff right. Good luck

 

[egyptbruce]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

does turning the trim switch activate the trim clyinders to extent to 20 3/4 . cause mine doesnt

 

[Don S]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

For one thing, you need manual #6, not #4 as you posted in your first post.

Then when you get manual #6 downloaded, go to section 4A to read how to adjust it (pictures included).
Here is a quick link to section 4A. http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A4R3.PDF
It sounds to me like you have the switch installed wrong, just off a couple of teeth.

And yes, it's easier with 2 people, you may have to move the switch a bit at a time to get the proper distance.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

OK here is how the switch works. The switch consists of a short copper strip contact on the switch body and a contact on an arm. The arm is attached directly to the pivot pin on the bellhousing and is fixed in place, the switch body is attached to the gimbal ring and rotates relative to the arm when you trim up and down (contact slides along the length of the strip). The switch is wired in series with the up trim circuit which means that as long as the arm contacts the strip your up trim will work. So if you are all the way down and hit up trim the switch will rotate until the arm looses contact with the strip (at the end) @21 3/4" and will stop. When you rotated the switch all the way CCW you are no longer making contact (off the end). The "down" should work all the time, as does the "trailer". Turn it back CW and turn CCW in small increments, if you go past the strip "limit" up will not work.

 

[egyptbruce]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

thanks stonylaom , I set it back tightened the screws raised the drive , got 21 1/2 , went back down , raised again same , so I guess its ok , just that the info in the manual should be more specific or more detailed, I know now that the info is correct , guess I needed more words to feel confortable. I really rant to know , though , is the trim cylinders suppose to move in or out by just turning the switch, or does it work , move,with the botton , or lever on the remote control, again thanks I,m done for now just got to take it out to try it, Bruce

 

[stonyloam]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

Mine drove me nuts till I got it figured out, 21 1/2 should be just fine. Have fun. The trim cylinder will not move unless you are using the control on your throttle handle. What they should have said is: "while someone holds the "up" switch in the boat........" move the switch CCW.... etc.

 

[egyptbruce]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

also thanks don I do have the manual 6 section 4a, I got it from you before, I guess I thought its called 4 cause when I go to it it says 4a on it . but like I said thanks both of you for the info and feedback , I really glad there are guys out there to respond to our problems,

 

[Don S]

Re: adjusting trim sender How??

just that the info in the manual should be more specific or more detailed,

You have to understand one thing about the OEM manuals. they were made for trained Mercruiser techs, not DIYers. The Seloc and Clymer manuals are meant for the DIY crowd, unfortunately, all they do is take money from the DIYer, and have less information in them than the OEM manuals. Plus a lot of wrong info.