Where to get a new trim switch?

roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,753
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

Are u sure its the switch on the controls, and not a relay on the motor wiring harness?

Remove the motor cowl, locate the 2 relays, they look just like an automobile relay.

Unplug them and swap the 2 relays.

If it is a relay, the motor will now only trim up.
 
T

tschmidty

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
462
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

Or it's the trim limit sending unit on the outdrive.
 
C

CharlieZulu

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 2, 2008
Messages
122
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

Thanks for the advice, but I *think* it's the switch.

When I short out the UP terminals on the back of the switch, up she goes.

Good diagnosis?
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
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May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

I would use a multimeter and test the switch before I replaced it. It is more common for the relays to fail or corrosion to build on the contacts.

Shorting the wires is okay but not the real test.

Test the circuits and make sure everything is clean before you spend the money.
 
C

CharlieZulu

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 2, 2008
Messages
122
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

Hmmmm.... OK, thanks.

I don't have a schematic in front of me, but my logic tells me that if it's a simple single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) rocker switch, and I short the UP to the +12V terminal right there on the back of the switch by laying a screwdriver right across those two terminals, and my motor goes up without hesitation, then it's something internal to the switch. By doing this I am basically sending +12V right to the UP relay, no?
 
I

insearch

Seaman
Joined
May 27, 2010
Messages
69
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

You are correct. Th PO of my boat put an aftermarket rocker on the dash, I would love to have the one back that is on the throttle but they don't exist anymore
 
T

tschmidty

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
462
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

Looks like a pretty decent diagnosis to me. But how is it wired? Any chance the trim limit sender is wired into the switch itself? As in how many terminals are on the switch? Or is it all wired as one piece?

The real test would be disconnecting the switch and checking resistance with a multimeter. You may just have corrosion so it might be worthwhile to take it apart and clean it up.
 
C

CharlieZulu

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
122
Re: Where to get a new trim switch?

Trim limit sender? :confused:

All I know is the trim switch has always worked properly, so something somewhere has gone u/s. Also, since the DOWN works OK, no matter where I stop the motor in terms of tilt position, nothing happens when I press UP anymore.

The switch only has 3 terminals on the back and 3 wires going off it. I am going on the assumption that one is +12V and the other two are UP and DOWN. Like I said, I took a guess and shorted two terminals together on the back of the switch, and up she goes.

There is considerable corrosion on the solder joints -- lots of green/gray oxidization, but I would say this is surface contamination, really. I did not have the opportunity to clean this up (ie restrip the wires and re-solder... this would have made them too short anyway)

It looks like the switch assembly might come with the 3 wires already soldered -- sort of a pigtail affair, so this is what I'm actually looking for.
 
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