SP-C drive tilt not working

[JagGuy]

Hello everyone

Someday I hope to post when I don't have a problem . . . . .

I have a SP-C drive that only tilts up about 1/8 the of the way from the
bottom and then stops. It does this consistently (of course, goes down no problem).

The gauge shows that it is up 3/4 of the way.

I've looked at the wiring diagram, but it didn't help me.

I'm not even sure what tells the drive to stop? Is there a pressure sensor or does the
trim sensor have something to do with it?

I searched old posts for this problem on this drive and didn't find any.

I appreciate any help.

Thanks . . . . . Brian

 

[Don S]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Do you have the square digital trim gauge on your setup?

One like this.

 

[JagGuy]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Hi Don

No, I have the analog guage that looks like a gas guage.

I hope this isn't bad . . . . . . .

 

[Don S]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

You may have a black box like item #1 in the picture below?

 

[JagGuy]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

I'll have to get in the boat tomorrow and look
(in the middle of a brake job on the car right
now).

I'm guessing if I have one, it's under the dash?

This could be the problem?

My guage is like #6

 

[Don S]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

It could be the problem, I don't even know what you have for sure, let alone what could cause your problem.

That black box (if you have one) could be under the dash or in the engine compartment. Have seen them in both places.

 

[JagGuy]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Hi

There is apparently a black box under the dash that is
wired to the trim gauge. The number on it is 7938450-9.
There is also a relay that's wired to the black box.

I took pictures of everything I could think of, even though you
may not need them. Unfortunately I could only upload 5.

Pic1 Gauge (complete with dead insect . . . )
Pic2 Black Box & Relay
Pic3 Top of Black Box & Relay (showing wire colors)
Pic4 Pump
Pic5 Sender

This will sound like a stupid question and I will explain why I'm
asking something I should know, after I ask.

Does the trim circuit stop moving the drive at the top and bottom
of its travel automatically, or is it controlled only by the button on the helm?

Here's why I'm asking . . . . .

I have been used to a 40 year old outboard for the past 15 years and the
trim was either up-or-down and was controlled by my arms.

I got this boat in the summer of 2011 and used it for about 10 hours.
I seem to remember that I held the trim button until I heard the pump
sound change (it didn't stop by itself) at each end of travel. But . . . .
my memory may be wrong. It's not what it used to be. It may also have
stopped by itself.

I hope the pics help and if there's anything else that's needed, just let
me know and I'll do my best to get it.

I appreciate your help.

Brian

 

[SeaAmigo]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Try disconnecting the plug just above the sending unit, in the last picture, and see if it tilts all the way up. I tried this and got it to tilt up without having to hi the trailer switch. The problem with this is that it allows you to tilt too much and the u-joint will damage the boot. It works in a pinch though when you have to get the drive up.

It could be your sending unit, the toothed gear / sector on the helmet or the black box. Listen to Don S, and follow his lead though, he will steer you much better than I will ever be able to!

 

[JagGuy]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Thanks for the idea about the sending unit.

I wish I understood how the whole thing works
and whether it's automatic or not.

I've read about a Trailer Switch in other posts
but have no idea what one is?

The drive appeared to work fine when I put the
boat away in 2011. Funny how things stop
working when not being used.

Thanks again . . . . Brian

 

[JagGuy]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Hello Everyone

Just wondering if there are any more
ideas on this problem?

I can't use the boat until I get this fixed.

Thanks . . . . . Brian

 

[Don S]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

I have no idea. Never seen a black box like that before. The one in my drawing is around 4" square and a little over an inch thick.

If it was mine, I would forget the gauge, and run the trim switch wires directly to the relay and forget the gauge and any trim limit.
Those systems were always a pain to troubleshoot, and expensive to fix just to have a gauge.

 

[JagGuy]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

Thanks for replying Don, I appreciate it.

I would like to do as you suggest and don't care about the gauge anyhow.

I have a couple of questions with this setup that maybe you can help me with?


1 - The relay in the picture, since it's wired somehow to the
black box and gauge, can I assume I don't need it?

2 - Assuming I don't need the relay in #1, can I can get rid
of everything at the helm (the black box and gauge), except
the wires running to the tilt switch on the throttle?

3 - Will the wires from the throttle switch run directly to the
relay(s) near the pump motor? Any idea which relay contacts
I hook them up to? Is one relay for UP and one for DOWN?

4 - If I'm not using the gauge, then is there any need to keep
the sender that's attached to the gear above the helmet?

I plan to trace all the wires before I do anything and while I might
not understand what they're all doing, I at least want to know how
everything is (was) connected.

Sorry for all the questions and once again, thanks.

Brian

 

[Don S]

Re: SP-C drive tilt not working

I really have no clue how your system is installed, what switches you have or anything, so for me to give specific instructions on what can go and what stays, I can't do it.
What I can say, is here is a wiring diagram of the trim pump and relays you have. A is the 3 wires that needs to go to your trim switch. The red/purple wire is power to the switch, the blue is up and the green is down from your switch. Nothing else is needed from there.