Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

[cheburashka]

This is on a pre-Alpha outdrive mated to a Mercury 130HP.<br /><br />If I press both top buttons, the motor goes up. The bottom button brings it down. When I'm in the water, the bottom button brings the trim in, but the middle button (marked "out") does nothing. Is it supposed to bring the trim out, or am I supposed to use both of the top buttons together every time I trim out?<br /><br />Also, is there something that lets me know when I've hit the end of the trim cylinder's travel? As is, it keeps pushing as long as I keep the buttons pressed down. <br /><br />Thanks, and sorry for the repost.

 

[tommays]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

Whne its down that loud noise is telling you it down all the way <br /><br />Unless you have a trim guage thats working BUT even then its up to the driver to realize it all the way DOWN or UP<br /><br />There should be a trim limit switch on the drive that would allow the middle button to raise the drive to its safe max running limit<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[gspig]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

The trim out button raises the outdrive to a point the stops so that the u-joints aren't damaged. If the trim out button is not working the most likely problem is a bad trim limit switch or the wiring to it.

 

[Trent]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

Some engines did not have a trim limit switch and therefore the middle button was not wired to work. Just depends on your setup. You will have to look for a trim limit switch on the engine or drive depending on year model. If it has none dont worry about it. Dont know your year model. 130HP?? Never seen one? Could you mean 120? 140? 110?

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

I'm pretty sure it said 130. I'll check again.<br /><br />Is there any way to install a trim gauge on the pre-alpha drive? I don't think it has a trim limit switch and I'm concerned about the u-joints if I trim out too far. <br /><br />Does the trim switch measure the angle of the outdrive, or the angle of the bow? If it's the angle of the outdrive, is there a gauge the measures how high the bow is to aid in setting the trim correctly?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

Just checked: it is a 140. There is no trim limit switch on the outdrive, which probably means there never was one, right?<br /><br />If there was one on the engine, where would it be?

 

[horsefly38425]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

just look for 2 wires on the outdrive if it does not have them it never had send unit or someone removed it. they mes. outdrive angle.

 

[74Silverline]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

Check up inside the top of the gimbal ring. On my pre alpha, that is where the trim limit switch is located. It wasn't hooked up when I got my boat, so I figured out the wiring and it works fine now. When I push the middle button it only trims up so far and then stops. When I push both the top and middle button, it will trim all the way up for trailering.<br />74Silverline

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Trouble figuring out three-button trim control.

Thanks, Silverline. <br /><br />There are indeed two little wires coming out of the top of the gimbal ring--blue and purple--with male connectors. There are also blue and purple female connectors on the pump housing. This looks promising. I hooked them up and nothing happened, but I imagine the switch is probably corroded shut.<br /><br />Time to buy a manual and figure out how to pull that switch out!