Hi. My 1988 Cruisers 33' express has helm-controlled trim tabs - sorry, I do not know the brand. One works fine, the other does not move. I have a few questions on troubleshooting this problem.
1. First, can someone explain the operation of trim tabs? In my bilge area is the box that contains the tranny fluid and what seems to be the two helm controlled motors. Two leads come off that (hydraulic hoses I presume), one to each trim tab. This somehow tells the hydraulic control cylinder on the tabs which way to go. How is it that there is only one resevoir for fluid then? What controls which tab responds?
2. Operation. I know how tabs work - tab down, bow comes down. What I am wondering is are my helm controls upside down and backwards (need 90 deg. rotation)? Sitting at the helm facing forward, the tab rocker switch on the port side controls the starboard tab. If I push the port switch up, the tab goes down, push the port switch at the bottom (down) and the starboard tab goes up. Is that correct? The markings are faded, if ever there so it doesn't tell me anything.
3. When I push the starboard switch either direction, I hear the motor do something, but nothing happens to the port tab (or the starboard for that matter). I can move the tab my hand against the cylinder so I know it's not "frozen". So this is where I need a plan to troubleshoot it. We added tranny fluid to make sure it's full.
Any help on these three questions? Thanks.
1. First, can someone explain the operation of trim tabs? In my bilge area is the box that contains the tranny fluid and what seems to be the two helm controlled motors. Two leads come off that (hydraulic hoses I presume), one to each trim tab. This somehow tells the hydraulic control cylinder on the tabs which way to go. How is it that there is only one resevoir for fluid then? What controls which tab responds?
2. Operation. I know how tabs work - tab down, bow comes down. What I am wondering is are my helm controls upside down and backwards (need 90 deg. rotation)? Sitting at the helm facing forward, the tab rocker switch on the port side controls the starboard tab. If I push the port switch up, the tab goes down, push the port switch at the bottom (down) and the starboard tab goes up. Is that correct? The markings are faded, if ever there so it doesn't tell me anything.
3. When I push the starboard switch either direction, I hear the motor do something, but nothing happens to the port tab (or the starboard for that matter). I can move the tab my hand against the cylinder so I know it's not "frozen". So this is where I need a plan to troubleshoot it. We added tranny fluid to make sure it's full.
Any help on these three questions? Thanks.
