Trim switch question

[Chonk]

The trim switch on my 1989 SeaRay 160BR works on the down position but not on the up, however the trailer trim button (which lifts the motor out of the water for trailering) works fine.

Does this sound like it's simply the switch thats bad? Does the same motor that lifts the motor on the trailer switch also raise the trim?

I'm wondering if this is a simple switch replacement repair. If so is this a simple fix for a newbie boat owner?

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Trim switch question

It's the same pump that lifts the outdrive. The difference is the trim switch will stop raising the drive when the limit switch reaches it's limit. I'm not an expert, but I'm an engineer by profession, and I've been reading up on this question because my trim guage isn't working. The trim guage sensor is on the starboard side of the outdrive, the "up" limit switch is on the port side. I just read that the "up" will not work if the limit switch has quit working, as a safety measure. So your problem could (I'd guess, is) a bad limit switch. Read the blue shaded post from TozerBGood in this thread, it explains the operation of the two sensors for the trim:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=428843

If the link doesn't work, search for this thread:

"Yet Another Trim Gauge - Wiring Diagram - Question", from TozerBGood

 

[85 Champ]

Re: Trim switch question

Sounds liek were in the same boat! I have the same problem on my trim switch but i just have a feeling the trim swicth is fine. The trailer button works fine and I even have another switch near the transom that works just fine, so Im pretty sure it isnt the relays. Of course neither of the other switches have the limit switch since they both will raise the motor completely out of the water. Mine just went out last weekend and I was forced to use the trailer button to trim up while out on the water and when I got back called the mercury dealer and the trim switch is $45! Im going to see if I can locate the limit switch tonight, I may be wrong because Ive never replaced one on a boat but limit switches are usually pretty generic and should be available for pretty cheap, right? I just couldn't believe it when they told me $45!