Trim Fuse Burning Out

[shonie777]

I have a 2009 Senza 186 with the 220hp Volvo 5.0L and it keeps burning out the fuse. The fuse only burns out when I have loaded it on the trailer and never when it's in the water. I have taken it to the Volvo dealer 4 times for repair and they can not find the problem.

First they told me it was just the fuse. they replaced it and it worked fine til I loaded it on my trailer and it burned out.

The second time they told me it was the breaker. They replaced it and the fuse burned out again when it was loaded on the trialer after boating.

The third time they said it was a relay, they replaced it and it burned out the fuse again.

Now (forth time) they say it is the throttle arm and trim switch assembly and that they have to order it.

So I have resolved to just running a jumper wire to make my trim work. So far that seems to work just fine. anyone else have any issues with their trim fuse burning out?

 

[shonie777]

Re: Trim Fuse Burning Out

It is being serviced by an authorized dealer Volvo repair shop. I live in northern Arizona, the 4 corners region and Page,AZ is the closest (1 1/2 hour drive) authorized repair shop for me. I bought the boat in Mesa,AZ and that is a 5 hour drive for me. I just want to get the darn thing fixed so I don't let this great boating weather go to waste. Even if I have to fix it myself.

The shop said they called Volvo about the problem, and they said it was chaffing on the wiring harness from the throttle assembly. I checked that myself and there is nothing. Like I said, it only burns out the fuse when you load it on the trailer after boating when I lift my trim up. It immediatly burns out the fuse, and that is the only time it burns out. That is when I have to use the jumper wire when I need to lift my trim up after loading it on the trailer after boating.

I have a feeling it has to be some kind of water issue. I was an auto/diesel mechanic for 13 years an know a bit about motors and electrical systems, but I know really nothing about boat electrical systems, trim, etc..

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Trim Fuse Burning Out

Running a jumper around the fuse is a BAD idea as the pump motor is not protected and may very well void your warranty.

Um....... It WILL void your warranty if VP finds out about it.


How big is the fuse? 50A? Make sure you have the right fuse installed. It's possible that it's as simple as the wrong size fuse.

The pump doesn't have to work as hard when the drive is in the water because it's slightly lighter in the water (although not much) ......a thing called buoyancy is involved.... AND It will work harder once underway and trimming...

You should have a fuse for the motor (high amperage) and probably a fuse for the control switches (much lower....a couple of amps or so.... since all they switch is motor solenoids)

If the large fuse is opening, either the motor is drawing too much current or wires to the motor have a hot, exposed conductor and it's touching ground.


You can check if it's the motor by running it up in the water until the motor labors at the top of travel. If it blows the fuse when it gets to the top the motor did it and maybe it's drawing too much current. (internal defect)

The tilt/trim circuit is almost always independent of the main power circuit so you can operate it with the "key" off.

If you've already had the dealer "look" at it, and you burn something up trying to fix it, It'll probably be "on your nickel" from that point on...

You risk burning up the boat and hurting someone if you continue to run it with the fuse bypassed

 

[shonie777]

Re: Trim Fuse Burning Out

Um....... It WILL void your warranty if VP finds out about it.


How big is the fuse? 50A? Make sure you have the right fuse installed. It's possible that it's as simple as the wrong size fuse.

The pump doesn't have to work as hard when the drive is in the water because it's slightly lighter in the water (although not much) ......a thing called buoyancy is involved.

You should have a fuse for the motor (high amperage) and probably a fuse for the control switches (much lower....a couple of amps or so.... since all they switch is motor solenoids)

If the large fuse is opening, either the motor is drawing too much current or wires to the motor have a hot, exposed conductor and it's touching ground.


You can check if it's the motor by running it up in the water until the motor labors at the top of travel. If it blows the fuse when it gets to the top the motor did it and maybe it's drawing too much current. (internal defect)

The tilt/trim circuit is almost always independent of the main power circuit so you can operate it with the "key" off.

If you've already had the dealer "look" at it, and you burn something up trying to fix it, It'll probably be "on your nickel" from that point on...

it uses a 20amp fuse.

all works fine while in the water. full up and full down with no issues.

only burns out once loaded on the trailer and the trim needs to go up. And it will continue to burn out until it is back in the water.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Trim Fuse Burning Out

You could determine if it's a "short" by putting a 30A fuse in it temporarily.

If it's a short, it might pop ANY size fuse (within reason) Don't run it that way however.


The dealer might just replace "big stuff" to get you back on the water quickly since VP is covering it.... It shouldn't be all that hard for them to pinpoint the problem though.....(it ain't "rocket science")

I'll also add that you should just let the dealer do their thing.....I know it sux but you don't want to mess up your warranty. Ask them to use FEDEX or UPS overnight for the parts........

 

[rbh]

Re: Trim Fuse Burning Out

If you are still going to work on it regardless of warranty, test the wires coming out of the limit switch, if the switch is bad or wires are grounded out,
check with multi meter. loop test, leg to leg and then leg to ground both leads.
just a thought.
rob

 

[shonie777]

Re: Trim Fuse Burning Out

Well, I'm off to take my boat back to the repair shop today. The part came in, so I'm gonna give it another shot and see what happens but I'm not getting my hopes up. If this don't work, I'm going to have to take it back to Mesa where I bought it. Maybe they can figure it out. Gawd! I hate to think of the 5 hour drive to get it there though.

Thanks for all the feedback.