Need help - Trim control issues..

[Troops141]

I am having issues with my trim control button.. It will lower the unit fine but the "up" switch no longer works, the trailer button will still raise the unit but nothing from the "up" button. Last time I used the boat was a month or two ago and I noticed that I had to push the "up" button a few times for it to work and now, nothing.. Any ideas or is my switch bad? Also does anybody know what model throttle control I have?

Boat is a 1993 Caravelle Fish and Ski

 

[Grandad]

Since your post doesn't identify what kind of engine system you have - I/O or outboard, a general statement would be that the principle operation of all trims is that there's a maximum tilt that's "safe" for your engine when running and another maximum tilt for trailering to get adequate ground clearance. This typically involves 2 different circuits to be used at your discretion for the current need. The manufacturer assumes that you may not be aware of the maximum height to which the engine should be raised when running, so the normal trim circuit has a limit switch to stop the lift even when the normal up button is pressed.

I would expect that this limit switch on yours is faulty, perhaps because of age, corrosion or dirt. The trailer button's circuit likely bypasses this limit switch, so you have been still able to trim up while running using the trailer switch, though you no longer have the safety provided by the limit switch. - Grandad

 

[Troops141]

Since your post doesn't identify what kind of engine system you have - I/O or outboard, a general statement would be that the principle operation of all trims is that there's a maximum tilt that's "safe" for your engine when running and another maximum tilt for trailering to get adequate ground clearance. This typically involves 2 different circuits to be used at your discretion for the current need. The manufacturer assumes that you may not be aware of the maximum height to which the engine should be raised when running, so the normal trim circuit has a limit switch to stop the lift even when the normal up button is pressed.

I would expect that this limit switch on yours is faulty, perhaps because of age, corrosion or dirt. The trailer button's circuit likely bypasses this limit switch, so you have been still able to trim up while running using the trailer switch, though you no longer have the safety provided by the limit switch. - Grandad

Thanks for the response. It is a I/O with the mercruiser 3.0 LX. The circuit that you're talking about, I assume is the trim limit switch that is mounted in the rear of the boat, correct? Or are you talking about something else? Is there any way to test the switch that you know of or is just to be replaced? Are the buttons on the throttle known to fail or is that typically not the issue in cases like mine?

 

[Bayou Dave]

What type of outdrive do you have? If it is an Alpha One it probably is the trim limit switch on the left side of the outdrive. Replacing it usually requires that you remove the outdrive so you can run new wires. Sometimes you can open the limit switch and check for corrosion, clean it up and see if it works.

 

[Troops141]

What type of outdrive do you have? If it is an Alpha One it probably is the trim limit switch on the left side of the outdrive. Replacing it usually requires that you remove the outdrive so you can run new wires. Sometimes you can open the limit switch and check for corrosion, clean it up and see if it works.

It's an Alpha one, gen 2. Not looking forward to removing the outdrive, but thanks for the info.

 

[Grandad]

It's an Alpha one, gen 2. Not looking forward to removing the outdrive, but thanks for the info.

Hi Troops. The symptoms you describe could be from either the normal up switch or the limit switch malfunctioning. I'm attaching a troubleshooting directive that may help. Don't let the 3 button vs 2 button difference between the schematics in the pdf and your normal trim switch fool you. I expect that your switch is essentially electrically identical, though structured mechanically different. - Grandad
View attachment A1 Trim Troubleshooting .pdf

 

[Troops141]

Hi Troops. The symptoms you describe could be from either the normal up switch or the limit switch malfunctioning. I'm attaching a troubleshooting directive that may help. Don't let the 3 button vs 2 button difference between the schematics in the pdf and your normal trim switch fool you. I expect that your switch is essentially electrically identical, though structured mechanically different. - Grandad

thank you

 

[61mysteryboat]

If you can pull the switch out to expose the contacts try this. Get a multimeter and set it to the ohm setting. Put the probes across the corresponding terminals ( not sure which that would be without seeing it). If you toggle the switch the meter should beep or show zero. That shows that there is no resistance in the circuit which means the circuit is closed or good. If the meter does not change when you toggle the switch that means the circuit is open and does not have " continuity ". New switch. The same test can be done on the limit switch. They should only show a open circuit at the limit point. Open circuit before that point means new limit switch.

 

[Bondo]

If you can pull the switch out to expose the contacts try this. Get a multimeter and set it to the ohm setting. Put the probes across the corresponding terminals ( not sure which that would be without seeing it). If you toggle the switch the meter should beep or show zero. That shows that there is no resistance in the circuit which means the circuit is closed or good. If the meter does not change when you toggle the switch that means the circuit is open and does not have " continuity ". New switch. The same test can be done on the limit switch. They should only show a open circuit at the limit point. Open circuit before that point means new limit switch.

Ayuh,.... Insteada pullin' the control apart, do these tests at the trim pump, rather than at the switch at the controller,...