Need help with Trim limit switch i think

[MrRags]

I have a 1996 Reinell 20' with a 5.7L Mercruiser Alpha one. My trim will go all the way down but will not come up. If I hit the trailer button it comes up. I tried to replace the solenoids (there are 2 of them) but it was not them as it did not fix my issue. When i hit the up trim button it makes no sound at all. I need to know what you all think, is it the trim limit switch? If so I have no idea how to replace it. I have pics but am not sure how to upload them on this forum site.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

Here is how you troubleshoot the system. with wiring diagram.

View attachment A1G2 Trim Troublelshooting.pdf

If it is the trim limit switch (and I suspect it is) here is how you replace it.

View attachment Trim limit switch install instructions.pdf

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

If the trailer works and the trim does not, it is almost always the trim limit circuit. Locate the two black wires coming through the transom that go to two connectors, one with a purple/white wire the other with two blue/white wires. Unplug the black wires and with a short piece of wire jumper between the connectors. Try the trim switch, should work. If it does take a look at the gimbal ring port side to find the limit switch. Examine the wiring to see if it is frayed or broken. If the wiring looks OK the switch may just be dirty. It can be disassembled and cleaned or you can just leave the jumper in place (lots of people do). Just be careful when you trim up, with the jumper in place the trim will function the same as the trailer. Good luck.

 

[MrRags]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

Here is how you troubleshoot the system. with wiring diagram.

View attachment 145929

If it is the trim limit switch (and I suspect it is) here is how you replace it.

View attachment 145930

Great thank you very much, I will give it a shot this weekend and let you know if i need further help

 

[MrRags]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

If the trailer works and the trim does not, it is almost always the trim limit circuit. Locate the two black wires coming through the transom that go to two connectors, one with a purple/white wire the other with two blue/white wires. Unplug the black wires and with a short piece of wire jumper between the connectors. Try the trim switch, should work. If it does take a look at the gimbal ring port side to find the limit switch. Examine the wiring to see if it is frayed or broken. If the wiring looks OK the switch may just be dirty. It can be disassembled and cleaned or you can just leave the jumper in place (lots of people do). Just be careful when you trim up, with the jumper in place the trim will function the same as the trailer. Good luck.

I bought a new quicksilver switch assembly kit but that did not fix my issue. I took the boat out this last weekend and the trim down works good and the trim up works to a point. it seems it goes up only half way then stops so i used the trailer button and it worked fine. when the boat is out of the water it doesn't go up at all or make any noise what so ever, any ideas to this issue? could it still be what you posted above? Also i am not very boat savy but am hop
ing to learn it quickly. Where exactly is the trim limit circuit located? is it back by the trim solenoids or is it under the dash by the throttle controls?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

it seems it goes up only half way then stops

Hmmm, that is EXACTLY what it is supposed to do. The TRIM LIMIT switch prevents the outdrive from being raised too high when underway by disconnecting the trim pup "up" circuit at a predetermined point. If the outdrive is already raised above that point the trim switch will not work at all (while the trailer will still work). It is possible that it is not adjusted correctly. Run it all the way down then trim up till it stops and then measure center to center on the trim ram bolts. For a gen II like yours it should measure 20 3/4 inches. If it is too short, loosen the adjusting screws and while holding the trim up, slowly rotate the switch CCW till it is the right length, if too long rotate the switch CW then back CCW till correct. Then run it down then up to check. Good luck.

 

[MrRags]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

Hmmm, that is EXACTLY what it is supposed to do. The TRIM LIMIT switch prevents the outdrive from being raised too high when underway by disconnecting the trim pup "up" circuit at a predetermined point. If the outdrive is already raised above that point the trim switch will not work at all (while the trailer will still work). It is possible that it is not adjusted correctly. Run it all the way down then trim up till it stops and then measure center to center on the trim ram bolts. For a gen II like yours it should measure 20 3/4 inches. If it is too short, loosen the adjusting screws and while holding the trim up, slowly rotate the switch CCW till it is the right length, if too long rotate the switch CW then back CCW till correct. Then run it down then up to check. Good luck.

OK thats sounds correct but what about when it is out of the water and on the trailer. The trim can be all the way down and the only way to get it to go up is by using the trailer button. the trim up does nothing. Is that normal as well?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Need help with Trim limit switch i think

OK thats sounds correct but what about when it is out of the water and on the trailer. The trim can be all the way down and the only way to get it to go up is by using the trailer button. the trim up does nothing. Is that normal as well?

Then you still have a problem with the trim limit circuit. To confirm, try the jumper again.