Trim Gauge

otterby

Seaman
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
56
I recently bought a '88 Cobalt 202 and the power trim gauge doesn't work. I don't really need the gauge and prefer to go by sound but it's still nice having everything working. Currently the gauge is pegged out in the up position. I took the sensors apart and cleaned everything up and it all looks good. I found the wires coming out of the lower unit and they are four wires that look like two lamp cords. One has a ground and two wires going to the trim pump. The other has a gorund and one wire that heads toward the front of the boat. I assumed to the gauge. I thought mabee this wire was bad so I unhooked it and ran a jumper wire directly to the gauge. When I hit the trim switch down the gauge instantly pegs in the down position and pegs back to up when I let off the switch and when I trim up there is nothing. I have to hook the original wire back up to be able to trim up. Any suggestions?
 

Kainon

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
608
Re: Trim Gauge

You can also check out the Adult Section, you may find something about trim gauge wiring.

Could be a ground issue, the trim switch is on one side and the trim sender is on the other, and if the connections are crossed, that could give you the problem your having, but they do have different connections on the end and shouldn't get crossed.

the trim switch is supposed to turn off the trim up when the drive gets to a certain position then you are supposed to use the Trailer Button but can of course use the trailer button at anytime for trim as they are connected back to the pump at the same place.
 

otterby

Seaman
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Trim Gauge

They have the same connections and could have gotten crossed. However the trim limit works perfectly, as does the trailer switch. Is this possible?
 

stonyloam

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
5,827
Re: Trim Gauge

two black wires going into a connector with one purple/white wire and two blue/white wires is the trim limit switch circuit.
 

otterby

Seaman
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Trim Gauge

Correct, purple/white off one wire goes toward the front, should it go directly to the gauge or to the trim switch? Off the other wire there are two that go to the pump and I'm sure they are blue/white.
 
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