Trim Gauge function...

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dmanmtl

Seaman
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
63
I have a bayliner 175 with a 130 HP mercruiser stern drive. The dash gauge that indicates the position of the trim is a little funky, it seems to move erratically. I think it may be the needle in the gauge that is sticking but am wondering where the "pickup" for this device is - what is it reading and can I check the sensor for this?

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thumpar

thumpar

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Jun 21, 2007
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6,138
Re: Trim Gauge function...

The sensor is on the side of the drive. Where it pivots up and down you will see a sensor on each side. One for trim limit and one for the position. My boat never had the gauge and the rubber for the wires on them are both hardened. I trim by the seat of my pants.
 
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Levithan

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Sep 7, 2012
Messages
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Re: Trim Gauge function...

I went through this a few days ago.
The old sensors are not very good from what I've been told and they can move very erratically.
I took mine apart, cleaned out the contacts of all the rust and debri that was in there, and sanded down the contacts.
Sprayed them down with fluid film and then anerobic sealed the O-rings to the case.
That should protect them from further corrosion.
Even after doing all that my trim sensor only works for a small duration of travel and pretty much flicks from down to up in an instant, normal from what I understand.
Apparently there are new updated sensors that work better but i'm not spending 80-100 dollars and going through all the work to replace them just for a bit more accuracy.
 
Grub54891

Grub54891

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5,915
Re: Trim Gauge function...

They should move smoothly,mine do,1985 larson,I suppose they could have been replaced before I aquired it last year but they are pretty rough looking,wires are splitting also. I've replaced others for people and they still are a bit erratic but I think the guadge itself goes south also. I prefer them working,at least ya know you arent trimmed to high when under way if the limit is set properly for your drive.
Grub
 
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dmanmtl

Seaman
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Apr 14, 2013
Messages
63
Re: Trim Gauge function...

can someone be more specific about where the senors(S) is? I am unclear on this...and would like to have a look at it
 
thumpar

thumpar

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Re: Trim Gauge function...

dmanmtl said:
can someone be more specific about where the senors(S) is? I am unclear on this...and would like to have a look at it
Click to expand...
Go look at the back of your boat. The pivot points for the drive going up and down is where they are. One on each side. It is the only thing that will have wires coming from it.
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Trim Gauge function...

The arrow is pointing at a round plastic disc like object about 2" diameter. The one of the port side is the limit switch, the one on the starboard side is the gauge sender....

Chris.......

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dmanmtl

Seaman
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Apr 14, 2013
Messages
63
Re: Trim Gauge function...

Ok, got it - I see them now...doesn't look they are servicable though - the back screw looks almost impossible to get off given the position. I will have another look tomorrow when it is light - Thanks for all your replies!!
 
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dubs283

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Re: Trim Gauge function...

dmanmtl said:
I see them now...doesn't look they are servicable though - the back screw looks almost impossible to get off given the position
Click to expand...

they are serviceable

it is much easier to replace them with the bellhousing removed, but if you have the right tools and a little patience they can be changed with the drive still on
 
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Levithan

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Messages
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Re: Trim Gauge function...

Turn the wheel and get the outdrive to where the screws are accessable.
Remove the 4 center most screws not the outer two screws(center screws will allow access for the unit to be cleaned, outer two screws are for adjustment) then mark where you removed the center wheel from.
Clean, lube and reinstall.
 
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dubs283

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Re: Trim Gauge function...

Levithan said:
Turn the wheel and get the outdrive to where the screws are accessable.
Remove the 4 center most screws not the outer two screws(center screws will allow access for the unit to be cleaned, outer two screws are for adjustment) then mark where you removed the center wheel from.
Clean, lube and reinstall.
Click to expand...

mercruiser do not recommend diassembling the sending units or splicing the wires

the senders are a remove and replace item ONLY
 
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dazk14

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Jul 22, 2008
Messages
966
Re: Trim Gauge function...

An impact driver is helpful to remove the screws. Occasionally, a part from a new switch can be swapped over without disconnecting the existing wires. More often the assembly needs to be replaced.

You do not have to go through the ridiculous labor involved in running new wires for replacement.

If done properly, the wires can be spliced. We've done in excess of a hundred and, plain and simple, this fix works. Saltwater included.

The key is to use a glued,heat shrink, butt connector. Make your crimp(with a tool) then heat the connector to shrink (you should see glue squeeze out).

Over that goes a 2nd layer which is glued heat shrink tubing that extends past the butt connector.

BTW - the 2nd layer must be slipped loosely over the wires prior to making the butt connection.

This works due to the GLUED shrink connector/tubing.

The new connection is more durable than the adjacent wire insulation.
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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Messages
27,468
Re: Trim Gauge function...

dazk14 said:
An impact driver is helpful to remove the screws. Occasionally, a part from a new switch can be swapped over without disconnecting the existing wires. More often the assembly needs to be replaced.

You do not have to go through the ridiculous labor involved in running new wires for replacement.

If done properly, the wires can be spliced. We've done in excess of a hundred and, plain and simple, this fix works. Saltwater included.

The key is to use a glued,heat shrink, butt connector. Make your crimp(with a tool) then heat the connector to shrink (you should see glue squeeze out).

Over that goes a 2nd layer which is glued heat shrink tubing that extends past the butt connector.

BTW - the 2nd layer must be slipped loosely over the wires prior to making the butt connection.

This works due to the GLUED shrink connector/tubing.

The new connection is more durable than the adjacent wire insulation.
Click to expand...

And there is lies the problem. You still have the old, deteriorated wire between your nice new splice and the connections on the inside of the boat. Still old and with the insulation falling off.

And with the extra time and expense of that set-up, I'd have replaced 2 sets of senders complete. When you have a tool bent up just the right way, and use a pull cord, the job's a breeze....

The other disadvantage of cutting and splicing is that you end up with a stiff straight section in the wire that can't follow the natural curve the wires would normally follow. That can easily lead to pinched wires as the drive turns port and starboard....

Chris.......
 
L

Levithan

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Messages
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Re: Trim Gauge function...

dubs283 said:
mercruiser do not recommend diassembling the sending units or splicing the wires

the senders are a remove and replace item ONLY
Click to expand...

That is BS
They are totally serviceable, and easily at that, get your nose out of the book and under the hood.
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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Messages
27,468
Re: Trim Gauge function...

dubs283 said:
mercruiser do not recommend diassembling the sending units or splicing the wires

the senders are a remove and replace item ONLY

Levithan said:
That is BS
They are totally serviceable, and easily at that, get your nose out of the book and under the hood.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Please show us where Merc have a service procedure... As an ex-dealer (and someone who definitely has a large and expensive axe to grind against Merc) I also know they are UNSERVICEABLE! You might be able to open them up, but they are not likely to last long after that....

Maybe it's time you started looking in the book. As much as it pains me to admit, Merc produce one of the best service manuals of any industry I have ever seen. If they recommend not servicing them, that (unfortunately) is good enough for me.

Chris.......
 
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dubs283

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Re: Trim Gauge function...

Levithan said:
That is BS
They are totally serviceable, and easily at that, get your nose out of the book and under the hood.
Click to expand...

well, the reason they don't recommend disassembling or splicing the wires is due to the fsct there is voltage passing through the wires and sending units

once they are opened and comprimised, there is a much greater chance of allowing stray current into the water which leads to massive corrosion issues, boaters already deal with corrosion due to the fact that putting a large piece of metal into water basically creates a battery and thus corrosion

this is mercruisers way of alleaviating an already prominent issue

oh, and by the way - usually the only reference i use the manuals for is a specific torque spec i have forgotten, otherwise i have read, studied and been tested thouroghly on mercruiser manuals, and i spend more than enough time "under the hood" to feel confident posting relevant information on this board
 
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Levithan

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Sep 7, 2012
Messages
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Re: Trim Gauge function...

achris said:
Please show us where Merc have a service procedure... As an ex-dealer (and someone who definitely has a large and expensive axe to grind against Merc) I also know they are UNSERVICEABLE! You might be able to open them up, but they are not likely to last long after that....

Maybe it's time you started looking in the book. As much as it pains me to admit, Merc produce one of the best service manuals of any industry I have ever seen. If they recommend not servicing them, that (unfortunately) is good enough for me.

Chris.......
Click to expand...

I could care less where merc shows that there is a service procedure or not.
For those of us with no how and igninuity we can service them.
Just because merc doesn't sell rebuild parts for something does not mean it cannot be rebuilt, you should try it sometime and stopping giving "THE MAN" your money, just because there is no documented procedure.
 
L

Levithan

Banned
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
65
Re: Trim Gauge function...

dubs283 said:
well, the reason they don't recommend disassembling or splicing the wires is due to the fsct there is voltage passing through the wires and sending units

once they are opened and comprimised, there is a much greater chance of allowing stray current into the water which leads to massive corrosion issues, boaters already deal with corrosion due to the fact that putting a large piece of metal into water basically creates a battery and thus corrosion

this is mercruisers way of alleaviating an already prominent issue

oh, and by the way - usually the only reference i use the manuals for is a specific torque spec i have forgotten, otherwise i have read, studied and been tested thouroghly on mercruiser manuals, and i spend more than enough time "under the hood" to feel confident posting relevant information on this board
Click to expand...

If you look at an old pair of trim senders you will see that every part inside can be serviced.
The O-rings can be replaced, the contacts sanded and lubricated with dielectric grease and the wires replaced.
Come on guys, use your heads and stop having to have a PROCEDURE for everything!
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Trim Gauge function...

Levithan said:
... and stopping giving "THE MAN" your money, just because there is no documented procedure.
Click to expand...

Hardly!!! When I can, I buy engine parts from GM. Just replaced the trim pump reservoir. Went to Parker-Oildyne for that, and saved over $150 on Merc's rip-off price!

What we're talking is not about 'doing it the Mercury way', we are talking about doing it right, the first time, and in such a way as to end up with a job that will last the distance... Not some half-assed, dreamed-up, cobbled together with bits of tape and fencing wire, back-yard botch....

EOD....

Chris.........
 
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