Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

[rhillman75]

On my latest trip out on my 96 Mercruiser I noticed that the trim would not go up but the trailer function would. I immediately checked it the following day and noticed wire damage to both the limit and sender units. Being as it is late in the season I decided to cut the wires and just take apart the sending units and repair as needed rather than do the full rebuild now and wait a few months for the winter lay up. I tagged the wires to know which went where, cleaned the internal components, replaced the wires, set the rotary points on the dial of the units, reinstalled the units, lowered the drive, turned the limit switch to allow 20 3/4 inches with trim up, turn the trim sender to where it would show 1/2 at full trim up. I thought everything was good until I have no reading on the trim guage when I am in forward gear going 1200 rpm or more. I can still hear the trim up as she trims up now, but I have no reading on the guage. Could I have accidently put the wires in backwards? Everything else is back to normal. I just do not see any gauge operation forward gear at or above 1200 rpm. If I am sitting in neutral the guage reads fine. Is this how it has always worked and I have just never notice?

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

My trim gauge works no matter what position (Fwd., N, or Rev.). I would check to see if you intermittent power,for some reason, to the gauge and sender unit or try to re-adjust the sender unit.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

It's really doubtful that got the sender set properly!

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

From what the manual states is... put the drive down in the lowest point, line up the marks on the trim limit sender (port) and install, trim the drive up to 20 3/4 inches maximum by rotating the trim limit sender and then tighten the screw. If I am not mistaken... then you put the drive back down, line up the marks on the trim sender (starboard) and install, then rotate it until it lines up with your guage to the full down position. I know it worked last year when operating the trim and the gauge went up with trimming up the drive, so I am a little confused as to why it would not do it now. Like I said... if I am in neutral the gauge wrks fine with trimming but I lose any readings with the gauge while in reverse or forward.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

The manual states; Drive down adjust gauge too down. The marks are a starting point that usually way off. Then adjust your limit switch to your 20 & 3/4". Make sure the hinge pins are tight.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

You say it's fine with the motor below 1200 rpm and there is no reading at higher rpm's right? Does it pin either way? Does it just not move?

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Question concerning trim guage operation while in forward gear and moving...

You say it's fine with the motor below 1200 rpm and there is no reading at higher rpm's right? Does it pin either way? Does it just not move?[/QUOTE

I took it out today just to double check. If the engine is running and in neutral gear, the gauge workis fine in trim and trim down movements. I started to idle out and I hit about 1,400 rpm and did the trim up and down and the guage didn't move. At this point it only reads in neutral and I can't remember ever having this problem before, considering I always just counted seconds in my head when I was trimming up at cruising speeds. I'm kind of at a loss for words. I metered the gauge while the boat was in forward and it was getting voltage. I guess I am :facepalm: at this point.