Trim Tabs Killing All Power

[Greg Dean]

Hi, my trim tabs are killing all power to my Searay 225 when I press the tab switch. I seem to have found the problem, which I’m assuming seems to be a short. The trim tabs will kill power when moving, idling and even if the boat isn’t started. Something in this picture seems to be the problem. Any idea what this unit is before I start taking it apart?

Ty

 

[nola mike]

Can we have a hint at what you're working on? That looks like your main engine harness plug.

 

[Scott Danforth]

sounds like you have bad power connections. start at the battery and work your way to the helm cleaning and tightening every connection including the ground

 

[Greg Dean]

Can we have a hint at what you're working on? That looks like your main engine harness plug.

I have checked every fuse, connection, ground, that I can see, nothing worked. I then followed the wires from my trim tabs and ended up on this pic below. If I move the wires on this harness, the boat will regain power

 

[Bondo]

I have checked every fuse, connection, ground, that I can see, nothing worked. I then followed the wires from my trim tabs and ended up on this pic below. If I move the wires on this harness, the boat will regain power

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... What motor,..?? Drive,..?? Who's tabs,..??

Somebody did some funky wirin', as the tabs should have Nothing to do with that plug,.... If it's what we think it is,....

 

[Greg Dean]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... What motor,..?? Drive,..?? Who's tabs,..??

Somebody did some funky wirin', as the tabs should have Nothing to do with that plug,.... If it's what we think it is,....

5.0 Merc, Alpha 1, Gen 1. Out drive. Bennett tabs

 

[Greg Dean]

5.0 Merc, Alpha 1, Gen 1. Out drive. Bennett tabs

I’m heading to the marina this morning, will remove electrical tape for a better view of what it is

 

[jlh3rd]

hmm...
Well, when I trimmed my earlier 60 hp merc. outboard ( which was the factory equipped motor in '07)....and now my new 115 hp merc. outboard on my '07 pontoon, there is a big noticeable draw on the current. It doesn't kill the motor, but I've always wondered if there is something going on?
.....not quite the same setup....but now I'm not sure...

 

[Greg Dean]

5.0 Merc, Alpha 1, Gen 1. Out drive. Bennett tabs

This is the adaptor for the wiring harness. Not a great pic but thoughts on the hole that is out of shape for one of the pins on the harness?

 

[wooky30014]

That electrical tape plus the corrugated wire cover aren't good to see, someone has been in there doing something. Sounds like it's time to do some serious electrical troubleshooting and repair. Personally, I solder any and all wiring connections/splices and prefer ring connectors and screw terminals, and dielectric grease. (Army taught me all of that) I'm betting that you will find somewhere some green corroded copper with poor if not iffy contact, plugs not making good contact.

If you need to rewire and make an adapter now would be the time. Having your boat die in the middle of the lake at 2am or even worse 20 miles offshore wouldn't be the best experience. That's why for MY peace of mind I completely rewired my boat and replaced . . . . . . . are ya ready for it . . . . . . cloth wrapped wiring original to the boat

 

[Greg Dean]

That electrical tape plus the corrugated wire cover aren't good to see, someone has been in there doing something. Sounds like it's time to do some serious electrical troubleshooting and repair. Personally, I solder any and all wiring connections/splices and prefer ring connectors and screw terminals, and dielectric grease. (Army taught me all of that) I'm betting that you will find somewhere some green corroded copper with poor if not iffy contact, plugs not making good contact.

If you need to rewire and make an adapter now would be the time. Having your boat die in the middle of the lake at 2am or even worse 20 miles offshore wouldn't be the best experience. That's why for MY peace of mind I completely rewired my boat and replaced . . . . . . . are ya ready for it . . . . . . cloth wrapped wiring original to the boat

Thanks. I just had the engine completely rebuilt. The wiring harness plug looks as though it should be changed, is this something than can be cut and attach the new? I can’t get the boat in the garage for 3 weeks.

 

[wooky30014]

Thanks. I just had the engine completely rebuilt. The wiring harness plug looks as though it should be changed, is this something than can be cut and attach the new? I can’t get the boat in the garage for 3 weeks.

First I'd get the new harness in my hand to make sure that there were enough wires, colors matching would be a plus as well as having the receiving ends to match up and wire in correctly