Power Trim Control Panel

[Rivergator]

So what's the problem?

Not sure why you've posted a pic of the old style 3 button dash mounted trim/tilt control seeing as how you don't have it and most likely never did.

The reason why I posted it I explained, because of all the confusion I have with my set up. I mistakenly said that the boat manual was from Sylvan. The manual that came with my 1988 boat actually was from MerCruiser and it showed the 3 button dash mount which of course was false. My boat dash shows different and I am sure it is original. I guess these manuals are mediocre and somewhat generic and don't always describe what actually is. I am not so sure about the remote. Maybe it was replaced at some point prior to me owning the boat. We had some rainy weather and today I went back to the boat and did some more testing before the big artic freeze is gonna hit in a couple of days. The buttons on the remote shift lever (see pic in post #15) will move the drive up and down. To see if this is the trim/tilt control or the trailer buttons I did the following test. I disconnected the pur/wht connection (see red circle on picture in post #2) and ran the pump again. This time only the DOWN function worked but not the UP. So I came to the conclusion that the buttons on the remote shifter are the trim/tilt control buttons and not the trailer buttons. By disconnecting the trim limiter I simulated that the drive reached its allowed heights dictated by the limiter and stopped. If this had been the trailer controls should the pump not have kept running to push the drive a little higher for trailering? Isn't that how it's supposed to work. Please correct me if I am wrong. I was always under the impression that's how it is supposed to work. There are 2 distinct separate functions, there is the tilt/trim and the trailer. The first is controlled by the limiter switch and the second is controlled by the operator. Now I still have to figure out where the button for the trailer override is. If there isn't one it is not that important. Once I figure out where that broken wire on the big button goes I may have the answer. The tilt/trim is more important and that seems to work now the way it is supposed to.

 

[dubs283]

I guess these manuals are mediocre and somewhat generic and don't always describe what actually is.

Most likely you have a copy of the Mercruiser owners manual that sometimes comes with the boat when new. This is not a factory service manual and only has limited info about possible equipment installed and limited troubleshooting/service info. Yes, they are limited and really only give the reader info about operating and do cover the entire possible range of equipment available at the time the boat was manufactured. Mercruiser does not manufacture boats, only the engine/drive/controls packages installed by boat manufacturers, Mercruiser has no idea what style tilt/trim system you have, they only list the possible systems based on what they designed for that time period.

If you have the factory service manual it will detail all possible trim/tilt systems, have wiring diagrams, service and troubleshooting information and a very comprehensive breakdown of all the systems.

I am not so sure about the remote. Maybe it was replaced at some point prior to me owning the boat.

The remote you have pictured most definitely was NOT installed at the factory when your boat was manufactured. As I stated earlier that remote did NOT exist in 1988. It is a direct/oem replacement for the original remote that somehow failed.

The buttons on the remote shift lever (see pic in post #15) will move the drive up and down.

That's good. That button is supposed to allow the operator to control the tilt/trim system and according to you it does.

To see if this is the trim/tilt control or the trailer buttons I did the following test. I disconnected the pur/wht connection (see red circle on picture in post #2) and ran the pump again. This time only the DOWN function worked but not the UP.

Again, that's good. By disconnecting the pur/wht wire you eliminated the trim limit switch from the circuit and the button on the remote (which relies on the limit switch to operate up/out) only works moving the drive down. The limit switch mounted on the port side of the gimbal ring completes the circuit for the up trim control until the drive reaches the trim limit. Once trim up limit is achieved the switch opens and the drive ceases to travel up/out. Then the tilt/trailer button is depressed to allow the drive to continue up until maximum height is achieved.

So I came to the conclusion that the buttons on the remote shifter are the trim/tilt control buttons and not the trailer buttons. By disconnecting the trim limiter I simulated that the drive reached its allowed heights dictated by the limiter and stopped. If this had been the trailer controls should the pump not have kept running to push the drive a little higher for trailering? ............There are 2 distinct separate functions, there is the tilt/trim and the trailer. The first is controlled by the limiter switch and the second is controlled by the operator. Now I still have to figure out where the button for the trailer override is.

The button in question from post #15 is indeed the trim (up/down) AND the trailer button. To operate the trim you press the button up or down. In order to operate the tilt/trailer function you simply press the button up harder, as in overcome the first detent in the button allowing it to override the limit switch wiring and tilt the drive completely up.

Trim = drive moves full down and up to the trim limit
Tilt = drive moves up past the trim limit as far up as needed for safe trailering

Again I'm curious as to what your actual question is. You've mentioned multiple times the system works and many here have confirmed the system is in place, is oem, and is working properly. As to your confusion I hope you will carefully read through this entire thread again and come to the conclusion the system is correct

 

[QBhoy]

The reason why I posted it I explained, because of all the confusion I have with my set up. I mistakenly said that the boat manual was from Sylvan. The manual that came with my 1988 boat actually was from MerCruiser and it showed the 3 button dash mount which of course was false. My boat dash shows different and I am sure it is original. I guess these manuals are mediocre and somewhat generic and don't always describe what actually is. I am not so sure about the remote. Maybe it was replaced at some point prior to me owning the boat. We had some rainy weather and today I went back to the boat and did some more testing before the big artic freeze is gonna hit in a couple of days. The buttons on the remote shift lever (see pic in post #15) will move the drive up and down. To see if this is the trim/tilt control or the trailer buttons I did the following test. I disconnected the pur/wht connection (see red circle on picture in post #2) and ran the pump again. This time only the DOWN function worked but not the UP. So I came to the conclusion that the buttons on the remote shifter are the trim/tilt control buttons and not the trailer buttons. By disconnecting the trim limiter I simulated that the drive reached its allowed heights dictated by the limiter and stopped. If this had been the trailer controls should the pump not have kept running to push the drive a little higher for trailering? Isn't that how it's supposed to work. Please correct me if I am wrong. I was always under the impression that's how it is supposed to work. There are 2 distinct separate functions, there is the tilt/trim and the trailer. The first is controlled by the limiter switch and the second is controlled by the operator. Now I still have to figure out where the button for the trailer override is. If there isn't one it is not that important. Once I figure out where that broken wire on the big button goes I may have the answer. The tilt/trim is more important and that seems to work now the way it is supposed to.

Hi. Not sure if you’ve said or it’s been explained before…maybe I might have a little.
But on that control…the trim up button is a 2 stage button. If you press in normally with a thumb gentle depression…the trim will come up to its max trim position. If you press in and press further with more force, you’ll feel the button go a little further in again…holding in this state will go past the max trim and into full trailer mode. Have you tried that ? That’s how it should work.

 

[Rivergator]

Hi. Not sure if you’ve said or it’s been explained before…maybe I might have a little.
But on that control…the trim up button is a 2 stage button. If you press in normally with a thumb gentle depression…the trim will come up to its max trim position. If you press in and press further with more force, you’ll feel the button go a little further in again…holding in this state will go past the max trim and into full trailer mode. Have you tried that ? That’s how it should work.

Yes it was mentioned before by dubs283 and I tried it, but I didn't do a good enough job I am ashamed to admit. I guess I didn't expect that much resistance and obviously didn't push hard enough. I feel like a moron. Read my next post.

 

[Rivergator]

Oh happy day - PROBLEM SOLVED. Thanks to all of your great suggestions and advise, especially to you dubs283. You took the time and really explained it all in detail which helped me a lot to sort it all out. Turns out you were most likely correct about the remote replacement. I believe that's what happened at one time. What threw me off was the erroneous believe on my part that this new shift handle only had the controls for the tilt/trim and not for the trailer because I tried it and it seemed that the switch was a simple one step up and down switch because I pushed on it and there was no additional step that would do the trailer function. I was actually going to tell you this this morning and I almost pushed the post button but then I didn't and said to myself: Let me go and check one more time just to make sure. So I did and this time I really pushed a little harder and to my disbelief there was the additional click on the up button. So I did my test again, disconnected the trim limiter and pushed the button - nothing and pushed the button again this time to the second step and the pump came on. Needless to say, I was tickled to death. That explains a lot of things now. Dubs you were dead on when you suggested that the remote control was replaced at one time and by doing that, it is obvious now that the dash controls most likely were rendered useless, which explains the loose wire on the big fat button which was actually a cut wire needed to rewire the new remote, I guess. Eventually I will find a good purpose for the toggle switch. I already got a good one for the big fat button. If I ever install a pair of obnoxious horns, that will be the perfect button to power them. Thank you all for helping me to sort this all out, learning a lot of good stuff --- and PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

[QBhoy]

Yes it was mentioned before by dubs283 and I tried it, but I didn't do a good enough job I am ashamed to admit. I guess I didn't expect that much resistance and obviously didn't push hard enough. I feel like a moron. Read my next post.

Excellent news. See post 14

 

[Rivergator]

Yes QBhoy you said it too, but with all the guessing going on on my part never having experienced the boat and not knowing what was done to it before and being kind of careful or call it timid giving that button a good second push it just took a little longer but in the end it all became clear thanks to all you guys who hammered it in. I appreciate the help.
Merry Christmas to everyone on iboats

 

[QBhoy]

Yes QBhoy you said it too, but with all the guessing going on on my part never having experienced the boat and not knowing what was done to it before and being kind of careful or call it timid giving that button a good second push it just took a little longer but in the end it all became clear thanks to all you guys who hammered it in. I appreciate the help.
Merry Christmas to everyone on iboats

No probs. Glad you’re all good with it in the end.
All the very best