Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

[briggs09hp]

Hi,

I just bought my first boat and picked it up this weekend. It is a 1995 Sea Ray Signature 200 Cuddy. It has a Mercruiser 5.0 and Alpha 1 out drive. I thoroughly went through the boat I am very happy with it except for one problem.

On the shift/throttle control lever the trim down switch will trim the motor down, however the trim pump will keep running for as long as you hold the switch. The trim up switch does not work. The only way to trim the drive up is to press the trailer button. This will trim the drive up and the trim pump will stop. I read the service manual and it seems like it may be a faulty trim limit switch.

Also, the trim gauge does not move. It is stuck at the full up position. I am assuming the trim position sensor is used for the trim gauge, and the trim limit switch is used for the trim pump.

I test drove a boat last summer that had this same problem (1989 chaparral with a 3.0 and alpha 1), so I am wondering if this is common. Has anyone had this problem before? Any known fixes?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

using the "down trim or trailer" the pump deos NOT stop running.only in "trim" does the motor actually stop running.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

If you are lucky the trim limit switch may need to be reset to get the trim up button functional. If the drive has been off and the switch was not set correctly on reinstallation it won't allow the up button to work.
As far as the gauge being inoperative, it's a common failure. You can post in the electronics forum for how to check it. Usually the gauge is OK, it's commonly wrong info coming in. If nobody answers you check back here. I'll be doing the lookup and will post instructions.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

OK I am just learning how to copy & paste out of Adobe PDF. Let's see how I do.
Open or print these attachments, take em out to the boat and set yourself up!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

In the back near the transom you should have two black wires coming from the port side trim limit switch. They go into two connectors, one with two blue/white wires and one with a purple/white wire. Unplug the black wires and jumper between the connectors. Try the trim switch. If it works, you have a bad limit switch. Check the wires, and you may be able to take it apart and clean it up to get it to work. Good luck.

 

[briggs09hp]

Re: Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

Ok, I checked it out. I did like you said and disconnected the trim limit switch bullet connectors and jumpered the blue and purple wires. The outdrive will trim up, so now we know the limit switch is bad.

Now, I was reading the service manual on how to replace the switch and it looks like you need to pull the stern drive, bell housing and bellows. This seems like a pretty major job. Im figuring that since the bellows will have to come off, Ill just have my mechanic replace the bellows (preventative maintenance) as well as the trim limit switch and position sender . Can anyone give me an estimated cost of this job? Im thinking maybe in the $300 range?

Thanks,

Matt

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim Switch and Gauge Problem

$300 might cover the parts (OEM), if you did it yourself (switches, bellows, & gimbal bearing if needed). You might be able to get the switch and sender to work. Mark the current position, and take it off. Disassemble and see if you can clean up the contacts. The limit switch is just a contact and a copper strip and the position sensor is just a contact and a wire wound resistor. On the other hand replacing the bellows as preventive maintenance is an excellent idea.