push to trailer

Cptkid570

Ensign
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
967
Hey everyone,

On my 1985 Mercruiser 260, alpha 1 outdrive...

The outdrive lowers by pushing down on the tilt/trim switch on the throttle... however, it does not raise up with that button. But, it will raise up with the "push to trailer" button. I'm fine with that, but I was wondering how come the tilt up would work with the push to trailer, but not off of the switch on the throttle?
 

Boatin Bob

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Messages
1,858
Re: push to trailer

There is a trim limit switch on the drive that will only allow you to trim the drive up within safe operating limits while the engine is running. If that switch is defective or the wires are broken it can stop you from raising the drive because it thinks it's already at the limit. That switch however does not affect the trailer up switch.
 

Fishstick1962

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 21, 2006
Messages
114
Re: push to trailer

May be your Trim Limit Switch. It is a small, round, adjustable switch mounted on the Port side of your outdrive. From full down, you should only be able to Trim Up a small distance. If the Trim Limit Switch is bad or mis-adjusted you will have to use the Trailering Switch to trim up your outdrive. Does this happen in the water or on the trailer? Sometimes while on the trailer the outdrive can not trim down far enough to put the Trim Up switch into play. Lower the nose of the boat as far as you can and try again.
You really need the Trim Limit Switch to work as it keeps you from running the engine with the outdrive too high and damaging your gimbal bearing and yokes. On mine, with the Trim full up, I should only have 20 3/4 inches from pin to pin on the Trim Rams. Not sure what the limit is on yours.
My Trim Limit Switch was mis-adjusted when I bought my boat. Not knowing any better I ran it for a few weeks and damaged my gimbal bearind and yokes. Cost me a nice chunk of $$$$ and a few weeks of fishing while the damage was being repaired.
Hope this helps.
 

Cptkid570

Ensign
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
967
Re: push to trailer

I'm not sure about the adjustment of my trim limit switch.. in fact, I checked it out and I'm not sure if the wires to it are still connected.
 

Don65Stang

Recruit
Joined
May 24, 2007
Messages
4
Re: push to trailer

I'm new here...found this site via a google search for the subject topic.

Anywho, I have the same problem - my trim up does not work and the gauge is pegged in the up position. I assume a bad trim limit and trim sender switch.

I just bought my boat, a 1997 Bayliner 2050 w/ a Mercruiser 5.7L. (Welcome to the new boat with broken trim switches {eyeroll})

I didn't know it had a trailer up switch...where would it be located?

Thanks,
Don
 
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