Trim gauge issue

[Leosantanalg]

Here we go guys!

My outdrive trims perfectly up and down but the trim gauge is always up! Does not show it going down!
The trailer button does not work either. I bought the boat this way. Everything else is just fine.
It's a mirage 1996 with Alfa 1 gen 2 and 5.7 mercruiser

Where should I start looking. Thanks in advance.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trim gauge issue

You should start looking on the outdrive . . . either side of the gimbal pivot there are 2 round 'sender' looking devices that should have wires coming out of them. One is a Trim Limit, the other is a Trim Sender. They are marked accordingly, if you look closely. It sounds like the 'sender' is bad. Maybe the wires are broken, etc.

The 'trailer' button should always raise the outdrive. The trim button should always lower the outdrive. The 'trim' button should allow you to raise the outdrive only part way. That is the safe operating range. To raise the outdrive the rest of the way, you use the 'trailer' button.

You may want to check the electrical connections at the switches and the pump to see if there is any corrosion built up, etc. That seems to happen all the time with my trim tabs. . . .

 

[texamwalker]

Re: Trim gauge issue

Here we go guys!

My outdrive trims perfectly up and down but the trim gauge is always up! Does not show it going down!
The trailer button does not work either. I bought the boat this way. Everything else is just fine.
It's a mirage 1996 with Alfa 1 gen 2 and 5.7 mercruiser

Where should I start looking. Thanks in advance.

starbord side sender goes to your trim gauge.....port side is limit switch
most common problem is rotted or broken wires. when sender reostat goes out or wires break, gauge will typically peg all the way up.
if this is your problem its not to bad....60-70$ will buy you the set(dont think you can buy them singley) with the wiring harness.
little trick to install and calibrate but nothing that can tbe done at home

 

[Leosantanalg]

Re: Trim gauge issue

Mean while, trying to fix the problem. Is there any risk of riding the boat and over trim? I did it other day and the motor kinda let me know, the prop almost came out of the water then I trimmed down and got my sweet spot! Is that a big deal? Thanks

Correct me if I m wrong but the out drve must come off to replace those senders, right? Seems that there is no way to unscrew it!

 

[texamwalker]

Re: Trim gauge issue

Mean while, trying to fix the problem. Is there any risk of riding the boat and over trim? I did it other day and the motor kinda let me know, the prop almost came out of the water then I trimmed down and got my sweet spot! Is that a big deal? Thanks

Correct me if I m wrong but the out drve must come off to replace those senders, right? Seems that there is no way to unscrew it!

The pupose of the trim limit switch is to only allow a certain amount of movement up while underway. the u joints are designed to function properly up to certain driveline angles. over angles will cause excess stress to drive line and the u joints will eventually fail. the boat itself should tell you when you are over trimming.. there are probably more boats out there running with out the limit switch protection than ones with it. just be careful and be sure to remind anyone else driving your boat that the switch is inoperable.

As far as the second question, installing the switches will require the removal of the hinge pins on the gimbal ring.