Up Trim Not working

[DoGood]

I just got myself an 88 Wellcraft Classic 180. 3.0L Mercruiser

One issue I'm having is that the Up Trim Button does not work.
Also the Down Trim and Down Tilt does not stop when the motor is all the way down. It sounds as if the pump keeps pumping as long as I'm holding the button. This makes it difficult to tell if the OB is all the way down.

I looked at some of the manuals in the adults only section and it seems my first issue could be solved by checking the following:
1. Trim limit switch lead bullets connectors loose or corroded.
2. Trim limits switch or leads faulty
3. Open in Trim Control OUT/Up circuit

I believe these are a couple puck looking things on the outboard that easiest to get to when the motor us trimmed up and should have two wires coming from them. There is one on the left side and one on the right side of the drive. Is one the down limit switch and the other the up limit switch? Which is which? I guess I need to check the Up Limit switch for the first issue, and down limit switch for the second issue? (answered: Port side is trim limit switch, Starboard is trim position sensor)

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Up Trim Not working

You need service manual #6 for your outdrive, Section 1C gives detailed troubleshooting steps.
Those "Pucks" as you call them are 2 different things. Port side is for the trim limit switch (which could be your problem, follow manuals TS chart) and the starboard side is a gauge sender.

 

[DoGood]

Re: Up Trim Not working

Thanks for your help.

I am looking at service manual #6, Section 1C.

I think what I need to look at is "Trim Control Out/Up Switch Inoperative (Trailer Switch Operates)"
I don't have a trailer switch, but my tilt up and down work, along with the trim down. Just my Up Trim doesn't work.

First thing is to "clean and or tighten connections" Where are these bullet connectors? I didn't see them on the outside of the boat. Are they inside the hull or inside the trim limit switch? (A: Near hydraulic pump inside hull)

Also didn't see a diagnosis for my down trim/tilt not stopping. It seems like the up tilt stops when it's all the way up, but I have no way of telling when my trim/tilt is all the way down. Possibly these problems are related? (A: need to listen to tell when it is all the way down, pump does not shut off)

I guess the gauge sender on the starboard side would go to a trim gauge? I don't have a trim gauge, could one easily be hooked up?

 

[bomar76]

Re: Up Trim Not working

The pump doesn't shut off on full down. You have to listen to the sound of the pump.

Trim guages are the most worthless gauge normally installed on a boat. If you want to install another gauge there are several other functions that are much more useful to monitor.

 

[DoGood]

Re: Up Trim Not working

I popped the cover off the trim limit switch:

I guess this is most likely my problem. is this repairable/rebuildable or do I need a new trim limit switch unit?

Looking through the manual it looks like the bullet connectors are inside the hull, near the hydraulic pump. It's hard to find anything back there. If they are there, and I have to replace the trim limit switch, do I have remove the outdrive or anything to feed the wires through the hull? (A: Must remove outdrive trim limit switch)

 

[DoGood]

Re: Up Trim Not working

The pump doesn't shut off on full down. You have to listen to the sound of the pump.

Trim guages are the most worthless gauge normally installed on a boat. If you want to install another gauge there are several other functions that are much more useful to monitor.

Thanks for the info. on the pump not shutting off. I'll cross that off my list.

As far as trim gauges go, you may be right, but if the trim position unit is there, and all I'd have to do is get a gauge, it could come in handy at some point. I can understand that there are more important gauges, but I think I have everything else: Tach, oil pressure, Temp, voltage, fuel. I think trim might be the only one left?

 

[bomar76]

Re: Up Trim Not working

I run:

Speedometer
Tach
Oil Pressure
Oil Temperature
Water Temperature
Water Pressure
Manifold Vacuum
Fuel
Volts

And have seperate Oil Pressure and Fuel Pressure mounted on engine.

I took out a trim gauge to install one of the above.

 

[Don S]

Re: Up Trim Not working

Your trim limit switch shown in your picture is junk.
Here are the instructions for installing new ones. http://www.4shared.com/document/ZGUF243m/Trim_limit_n_switch_install_in.html

Now, you don't need a gauge, and you don't need the trim limit switch if you pay attention.
If you trim the drive too high, the bow will raise, your speed will drop and the rpm will drop. Makes it fairly obvious when too high.
When too low, the bow will plow through the water, low speed, low rpm BIG wake and going no where fast.
Everything in between changes with waves, wind and current, so the gauge doen't help at all.
Fix it if you want. Or just learn to operate your boat without either.