Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

[bartleyl]

Experiencing intermittent problem when using trailer button for raising outdrive. Like to test to insure its Trim limit switch and use the boat a couple more times before the season is over.

I've seen various posts where it says you can bypass the trim limit switch by unplugging the two bullet connections coming from the trim limit switch. Then it sounds like you make up a single wire with two bullets (male) to plug into the leads that go to the harness connections that goes on to the trim pump.

I disconnected the trim limit switch leads first. Being curious I hit the trailer switch and it still is sending power to the trim pump. I assumed power was delivered to the trim system via the trim limit switch. So do you really need to create the single wire to connect the two wires that go to the trim pump? I'm trying this sitting here in the garage, maybe the results are different with power on (engine running)?

Slightly confused, can somebody straighten me out.

 

[achris]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

You should have 3 buttons on your control box, UP, IN/DOWN, TRAILER. The IN/DOWN is self explanatory, The UP button will take the leg from the full down position to the top of the TRIM range. That's the one that the signal from the limit switch is involved in. The TRAILER button will raise the leg from the full down all the way to the full up position. It ignores the trim limit switch.

If the pump is intermittent with the TRAILER button, the limit switch has nothing to do with it. If you have a test light, put it on the up wire on the trim pump (heavy blue wire) and watch it as you tilt up. If it blinks as your tilting, then check the harness/solenoids for problems, if it stays solid even when the pump isn't running, then it's a motor problem.

Chris............

 

[bartleyl]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

You should have 3 buttons on your control box, UP, IN/DOWN, TRAILER. The IN/DOWN is self explanatory, The UP button will take the leg from the full down position to the top of the TRIM range. That's the one that the signal from the limit switch is involved in. The TRAILER button will raise the leg from the full down all the way to the full up position. It ignores the trim limit switch.

If the pump is intermittent with the TRAILER button, the limit switch has nothing to do with it. If you have a test light, put it on the up wire on the trim pump (heavy blue wire) and watch it as you tilt up. If it blinks as your tilting, then check the harness/solenoids for problems, if it stays solid even when the pump isn't running, then it's a motor problem.

Chris............

I have two switches, a thumb switch in the top of the lever for the trim and a square button in the middle of the lever for the trailer button(switch). So is the Trim Limit switch not in the electrical path of the Trailer button... in which case I need to keep looking?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

So is the Trim Limit switch not in the electrical path of the Trailer button... in which case I need to keep looking?

Correct.

As mentioned, if you have an intermittent problem, you need to begin tracing where the problem originates. My guesses in order of probability:

1) At the wiring harness plug in connection at the trim pump /solenoid....

2) Faulty solenoid...

3) Bad connection at control box

4) Bad trailer button.

 

[achris]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

I treat the thumb switch at the top of the control lever as 2 switches. One is DOWN and the other is UP. Because electrically they are 2 switches.

Chris......

 

[bartleyl]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

Thanks guys, I'll keep looking. Being thats it intermittent really makes it tough. At home it works fine, just failed a couple times on my last trip to the lake.

Anybody know where you can find the trailer button switch? I've searched a number of sites with no luck. I can find the mercruiser engine and stern drive parts but no inner working parts for the control.

 

[achris]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

Post a picture of the control box and I'll have a look for you.......

Chris.........

 

[bartleyl]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

Post a picture of the control box and I'll have a look for you.......

Chris.........

Had to borrow an image so here's the model I have.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/PhotoView.jsp?UV=258402853084_858201640211&collid=644808371111.166501640211.1219109340929&photoid=756501640211&folderid=0&view=1&page=1&sort_order=0&albumsperpage=&navfolderid=2008

 

[achris]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

What you have is a 'Commander 2000 Side mount' control.

But here's the problem.... they came out in a few variants, and the switch assembly is different across the variants. The switch assembly consists of the trailer switch and the UP/DOWN thumb switch.

The applicable part numbers are:
87-88790A1 for the -88150A7 model, and
87-88790A4 for the -88150A15 and -88150A17 models

I will post a drawing shortly. (I have the exit my anonomizer (proxy server) program, load up a drawing to a picture hosting site that won't work with the anonomizer running, then re-start the anonomizer to get back here. This is because iBoats has blocked access to its site from Australia!!)

Chris..........

 

[achris]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

Here's those drawings....

 

[bartleyl]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

Thanks Chris. I was lost in knowing which model I have.

I'm heading out to pull the unit apart, hoping maybe the model is stamped on there so I can tell which one I have.

Many thanks.

 

[cannonford57]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

nicely done achris

 

[bartleyl]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

What you have is a 'Commander 2000 Side mount' control.

But here's the problem.... they came out in a few variants, and the switch assembly is different across the variants. The switch assembly consists of the trailer switch and the UP/DOWN thumb switch.

The applicable part numbers are:
87-88790A1 for the -88150A7 model, and
87-88790A4 for the -88150A15 and -88150A17 models

I will post a drawing shortly. (I have the exit my anonomizer (proxy server) program, load up a drawing to a picture hosting site that won't work with the anonomizer running, then re-start the anonomizer to get back here. This is because iBoats has blocked access to its site from Australia!!)

Chris..........

FYI - I visited a local dealer and found 88790A1 to be the correct part. It has both the trim and trailer switches as one assembly, just as its shown in the drawing you provided. 88790A4 was just the trim switch.

Thanks Chris for helping me run this down.

 

[medeica]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

I'm completely rebuilding my trim/switches /pump et. I need electrical esquematic how all the componets connect.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim limit bypass - Mercruiser 260 Alpha I

I'm completely rebuilding my trim/switches /pump et. I need electrical esquematic how all the componets connect.

Ayuh,... Then you'll need to start a thread of your own,...

This 1 is 2 Years old....