tilt/trim gauge doesnt work

[cass200rt]

I recently bought a boat 1993 rinker 236, 502 mag bravo outdrive. All the gauges work except for the trim gauge, also the trim up switch doesnt work where your thumb would be on the throttle. But the trailer switch just below that works so i have been using that to trim up. The gauge always reads that the outdrive is down all the way. What should i check for first with the gauge, also can i just buy a new trim switch to fix the one on the top of the throttle?

 

[danond]

Re: tilt/trim gauge doesnt work

I'd suggest if you're going to tackle this yourself that you become familiar with an ohm meter and understanding very basic wiring/electronics. It's easy to make this stuff worse (and/or very expensive) if you just start ripping and tearing.

I'd also suggest making sure all your connections are good before assuming components are bad. Most boats 10+ yrs old have had at least one idiot under the dash using crimp connectors, bailing wire, string, etc to "fix" (read: create) wiring problems.

 

[hard-3]

Re: tilt/trim gauge doesnt work

start by checking the wiring to the outdrive. I am going to stick my neck out and guess you have a bravo drive. The wires to the trim limit and trim gauge through the gimbel area together. they then split to the seperate switchs located on either side of the gimbel. I had trouble before where the wires got ripped out and no connectivity. If you can power down the lower unit but not up. there is an open in the wiring to the trim limit. the trailer mode will still work to raise up the drive.Raise the drive all the way up and eyeball the wires as they come through the transom . if they are pinched or melted Do a search here to find out about replacing the switches and wiring as there is a proceedure to do it that has been covered countless times. If it's not a bravo , disreguard everything you just read.
Jeff

 

[Bondo]

Re: tilt/trim gauge doesnt work

The wires to the trim limit and trim gauge through the gimbel area together. they then split to the seperate switchs located on either side of the gimbel.

Ayuh,....

My guess is,... That's where all the Problems are......

 

[cyril420]

Re: tilt/trim gauge doesnt work

Your trim limit switch is probably not working because the two senders on the gimbal are shot. First, check for powwer at the guage. Then if power ground out the sender from the negative post to the sender wire input. if guage jumps it is functional. Then go to where wires come through transom to engine and ground out the side going to the dash with key on. If guage moves than senders are shot