How do I test Trim Gauge?

[liquidlew]

1989 Merc 4.3 Alpha 1 Sea Ray 180, less than 2 year old trim gauge is now pegged to the far left and will not move when lowering or raising drive. Merc Manual shows how to test every gauge BUT the trim gauge. How can I tell if it is really toast? Anyway to test it?

 

[alldodge]

1989 Merc 4.3 Alpha 1 Sea Ray 180, less than 2 year old trim gauge is now pegged to the far left and will not move when lowering or raising drive. Merc Manual shows how to test every gauge BUT the trim gauge. How can I tell if it is really toast? Anyway to test it?

Loosen screws holding trim gauge on starboard side. Put drive in full trim limit up position, do not use trailer up switch. With ignition ON, turn gauge sender until gauge shows between Red and Green section. If it works tighten sender screws. Now more it up and down and see how it works. If the gauge doesn't work very well you need another sender or gauge, most the time the sender.

 

[Bt Doctur]

far left means its not seeing the drive . could be the sender wires are broken /corroded away at the transom. go to the stbd side of the motor up front where the circuit breaker and slave solenoid are located.You`ll find the black trim wires short them together and see if the gauge pins to the far right.

 

[tpenfield]

+1^^^. . . . . Typically the sender is the issue, not the gauge. They don't see to last very long and often are not very accurate.

 

[liquidlew]

Awesome guys, thanks for the info! You are probably right that it's the sender and/or wires, which will all be changed when I do the bellows soon. I got the boat in '06 and have no idea how old senders and bellows are, so it's time! Pretty sure the bellows are ok still, I have been looking them over really good every year, and as of now they still look good, no deterioration or cracks (fresh water only) and no leaks. How often should bellows be changed anyway?

 

[andohh]

Awesome guys, thanks for the info! You are probably right that it's the sender and/or wires, which will all be changed when I do the bellows soon. I got the boat in '06 and have no idea how old senders and bellows are, so it's time! Pretty sure the bellows are ok still, I have been looking them over really good every year, and as of now they still look good, no deterioration or cracks (fresh water only) and no leaks. How often should bellows be changed anyway?

I've read a lot of inconsistent comments on normal servicing of the bellows. I've read every 2-years in some instances but there seems to be a good consensus that this is overkill. I recall reading a recommendation to inspect every and replace when a problem is found or every 5 years. I cannot find it now but I made a mental note that it seemed to be the best I have read on it.

 

[andohh]

If you got boat in '06 and the bellows haven't been replaced, I think most people will recommend that you replace them ASAP.