To Trim or not to Trim.. that's the $130.00 question

[pantaloonz]

Hi there!

So I pulled the trim sender and did some tests.

in the relaxed full open position reads full up on the gauge

When I manually push the lever all the way till it doesn't go any further. gauge reads full down.

The two problems:
1.) The sender seems like it's bad, based on these down n dirty tests. No reading in between full up and full down

2.) The bigger problem, when the sender is installed, it sits in the full up position,..even if the engine is completely down..... (eh?) It's as though the sender doesn't make any contact with ANYTHING at all. the way is sits now the trim would have to be like -30 degrees...

So I can bite the bullet and pay the ~130.00 for a new sender sierra 18-7364 (old part number 0984748 ) but I fear something else is wrong because the sender arm has no obvious contact point?...

Seeking advice...

-Pantz

 

[bruceb58]

Save your money and don't replace it. I won't be replacing mine on my Volvo when it goes out again.

 

[gm280]

Hi there!

So I pulled the trim sender and did some tests.

in the relaxed full open position reads full up on the gauge

When I manually push the lever all the way till it doesn't go any further. gauge reads full down.

The two problems:
1.) The sender seems like it's bad, based on these down n dirty tests. No reading in between full up and full down

2.) The bigger problem, when the sender is installed, it sits in the full up position,..even if the engine is completely down..... (eh?) It's as though the sender doesn't make any contact with ANYTHING at all. the way is sits now the trim would have to be like -30 degrees...

So I can bite the bullet and pay the ~130.00 for a new sender sierra 18-7364 (old part number 0984748 ) but I fear something else is wrong because the sender arm has no obvious contact point?...

Seeking advice...

-Pantz

You stated that the sensor really doesn't touch anything at all. So is it installed correctly? If it doesn't touch anything, can you manually move the sensor arm (for lack of a better name) and have the meter respond? If so the sensor is not bad, but not connected mechanically to the engine for proper positioning info. I think the sensor could be cleaned with some electrical contact cleaner spray if you can get to the inside of it... JMHO!

 

[bruceb58]

You can't clean them very easily. They are sealed units. Problem is the seal around the shaft leaks water and the windings corrode.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Save your money and don't replace it. I won't be replacing mine on my Volvo when it goes out again.

Yeah. They really don't give you very useful information.

You know when it's "UP" when you press the UP button long enough and the motor/pump "labors" in the up position. You know it's down when you feel the "clunk" after pressing "DWN" long enough.

When you're on the water, you'll adjust the trim in small "blips" up/dwn for every throttle position and/or speed based on boat performance.

The gage is pretty much useless.

 

[Bondo]

The gage is pretty much useless.

Ayuh,..... Agreed,.... I use 2 methods,...... Seat of the pants, along with, get up, 'n go Look,...

 

[pantaloonz]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info, I did replace the sender. The old arm as mentioned only read UP or DOWN the new arm actualy correctly reads. Course now something is shorted out somewhere and I have NO power to anything not directly connected to the battery started another thread.

Thanks for answers here, if this one goes, I'm not putting in another one.

-Pantz