SX-A trim problem

[Twaz]

Hi,
I have a 2008 ebbtide with an SX-A outdrive on it. It has a product number 3883603 on it but assume only one type of SX-A outdrive. My problem is that I was starting to notice my trim was not working as quickly as it used to. A few times it would not work when I hit the trim button and then would start working again in a minute. Yesterday I was going to take it out and when I hit the trim I heard a slightly grinding sound and then no trim at all. I hear a clicking sound when I hit the trim but nothing. From what I have read volvo has redesigned the trim motor. Is there something I can check first before ordering a new trim pump? Can you take the cover off the trim motor without oil coming out? I would like to check for water in the pump first. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Hi,
I have a 2008 ebbtide with an SX-A outdrive on it. It has a product number 3883603 on it but assume only one type of SX-A outdrive. My problem is that I was starting to notice my trim was not working as quickly as it used to. A few times it would not work when I hit the trim button and then would start working again in a minute. Yesterday I was going to take it out and when I hit the trim I heard a slightly grinding sound and then no trim at all. I hear a clicking sound when I hit the trim but nothing. From what I have read volvo has redesigned the trim motor. Is there something I can check first before ordering a new trim pump? Can you take the cover off the trim motor without oil coming out? I would like to check for water in the pump first. Thanks in advance.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It sounds like corroded wirin' ends,.... Start there,....

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It sounds like corroded wirin' ends,.... Start there,....

Thanks for the advice. I did not see any fluid leaking so I will check the wire connections. Does the trim sender have anything to do with this type of problem? Or does that only tell you drive up/down position? Would a fuse be blown anywhere in line? Appreciate the quick reply.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: SX-A trim problem

The clicking noise you hear is the trim relay turning on/off. But for whatever reason, the pump isn't running. How's your fluid level? Find the trim pump relay and use a meter to test the relay and make sure the pump is actually getting power.

No, the trim sender isn't related. It is just a resistor that sends position to the trim gauge.

 

[Don S]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Here is how to check the trim pump oil level and to check for water.
Location of the relays depends on the model number of your engine.

 

[hostage]

Re: SX-A trim problem

I had a similar issue last season as what you stated, then I couldn't lower the motor, only raise it. It turned out to just be solenoid. With the aid of a multi-meterI was able to correctly diagnose the issue and replace the part. Though I have a mercrusier I/O

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

I had a similar issue last season as what you stated, then I couldn't lower the motor, only raise it. It turned out to just be solenoid. With the aid of a multi-meterI was able to correctly diagnose the issue and replace the part. Though I have a mercrusier I/O

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am going to check fuses, connections tonight to see if it is that simple. Along with that I will check the fluid level in the pump. The engine is a 3.0GLP-J and I have the manual when I bought the boat new from the dealer in 08. I am hoping it is as simple as a fuse but will need to get a meter to check the relays. I hope the pump is not the problem as the dealer quoted me $860 for the pump and from what I understand it should be about 1.5 hrs labor give or take.

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

So I looked at the boat last night but without a meter. Here is what I can see. The 40 amp circuit breaker for trim pump as the owners manual calls for has a 50 amp circuit breaker in it. This breaker is gray in color with a black reset button on top. The button seems to not want to reset when I push it down. When I hit the trim up or down I can hear the trim down and trim up relay click. This tells me the 50 amp breaker for the pump is still working? I took a spare 40 amp fuse and put in in place of the 50 amp circuit breaker and still only clicking sounds from the trim relay both up and down. I took a look at the trim pump resovoir itself. It seemed to have enough fluid in it. From the best I can tell it is most likely the trim motor itself that is burnt up. If I had a ground issue would it of not popped the 40 amp fuse when I tried it? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: SX-A trim problem

So I looked at the boat last night but without a meter. Here is what I can see. The 40 amp circuit breaker for trim pump as the owners manual calls for has a 50 amp circuit breaker in it. This breaker is gray in color with a black reset button on top. The button seems to not want to reset when I push it down. When I hit the trim up or down I can hear the trim down and trim up relay click. This tells me the 50 amp breaker for the pump is still working? I took a spare 40 amp fuse and put in in place of the 50 amp circuit breaker and still only clicking sounds from the trim relay both up and down. I took a look at the trim pump resovoir itself. It seemed to have enough fluid in it. From the best I can tell it is most likely the trim motor itself that is burnt up. If I had a ground issue would it of not popped the 40 amp fuse when I tried it? Any help is appreciated.

Ayuh,.... Ya can't do any testin' or condemin' the pump without a meter or test light,...

Test the wires, At the pump motor,...

 

[Don S]

Re: SX-A trim problem

When I hit the trim up or down I can hear the trim down and trim up relay click. This tells me the 50 amp breaker for the pump is still working?

No, that is not telling you anything about the 50A breaker, that only tells you the F2 fuse is ok. You can take the 50A breaker out of the electrical box and the relays will still click.

I took a spare 40 amp fuse and put in in place of the 50 amp circuit breaker and still only clicking sounds from the trim relay both up and down.

This is where you really need either a test light or a multimeter. You could have a broken wire going to the breaker or from the breaker to the relays, or 2 faulty relays (unlikely) or a bad connection at the trim pump connector, or the pump is bad itself all of which can LOOK great but not work.

If I had a ground issue would it of not popped the 40 amp fuse when I tried it?

A short to ground would pop a breaker, if the ground was disconnected the relays wouldn't click, but if the grounds were loose or corroded, they could be grounded enough for the small amount of power required to cause the relays to click, but not enough to run the pump motor.

Here is the wiring diagram, maybe that will help you visualize how the wiring is setup.

View attachment 2008 Wiring diag 7749124[1] 7.pdf

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Don,
I have someone coming over with a meter to work off of the diagram you provided. Thanks! One note on your reply you said I could take the 50 amp breaker out and the relays will still click. I tried this and the relays do not click now, does that point you in any direction?
Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: SX-A trim problem

I tried this and the relays do not click now, does that point you in any direction?

Something is wrong in the wiring then, because by removing the circuit breaker, you are not preventing the relays from operating, or at least you shouldn't be. You may have some wiring problems in the box itself.

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

I checked the wiring and all breakers with a meter. No issues at the electrical box. We traced power right to the plug for the trim pump. 12 volts on each line when trim switch is pressed both up and down. My assumption is the pump itself is no good. It is at the volvo dealer for a pump replacement. Dealer told me he had another customer who has replaced 4 trim pumps on the his boat with an SX-A outdrive. Very comforting. Thanks again to all for the advice and help.

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Dealer just called and said it is done. Quoted me parts and labor $1900. Anyone have any idea if there is a standard labor time associated with this repair. This seems a bit high but don't have invoice in front of me yet.

 

[Bondo]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Dealer just called and said it is done. Quoted me parts and labor $1900. Anyone have any idea if there is a standard labor time associated with this repair. This seems a bit high but don't have invoice in front of me yet.

Ayuh,.... It depends on how much Boat has to be removed to get at the problem,...

No standard "Book Time",...

 

[royston22]

Re: SX-A trim problem

I also have a trim problem. When I hit the up or down buttons on the throttle handle trim switch, the relays on the trim motor do not click. Where will I find the 50 amp circuit breaker to see if it is tripped?

 

[Twaz]

Re: SX-A trim problem

Not sure what type of engine you have. I have a 3.0 and the circuit panel is directly behind the motor under the black plastic cover. As others have mentioned on my thread I would get a schematic of your wiring and start tracing out where you may have faults. In my case it ended up being the trim motor that failed. Good luck.