Trim Gauge not working on 2010 Stingray 185 with Volvo 3.0 Penta

[luke27612]

I have just bought a 2010 Stingray 185LX with Volvo Penta. Just took her today for a test drive and have noticed that trim gauge stays in up position but the trim works. I assume the trim sender is bad. I think I have found it. It seems to be a circle plastic thing held by couple screws on outdrive with a cable attached. Is there a way to reset or do another procedure to repair it. I am open to any other suggestions as I am not familiar with with Volvo setup.

Thanks!

 

[Fun Times]

Hi there, the trim sender should be mounted to the starboard side gimbal ring ( drive steering) on the outside of the boat.

You'll need/want to find out if the trim sender you have is a two or three wire unit. They can be bought here on iboats, item number 1, http://www.volvopentastore.com/Trim-...view_id.783189

The following link are some tips for you to keep in mind, http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...sx-trim-switch

Here are some images for you to look at as well, http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ts&FORM=HDRSC2

If you can locate a tag someplace on the stern drive, it should have your full model number on it in order to find the correct parts catalog for your drive unit....Same thing for your engine model as well.

16. NOTE: You need to know your engine model number, not by year of your boat. If you are not sure of what model number you have or where to find it, have a look at these three links on Volvo Penta Engine ID.
FAQ model name - FAQ : Volvo Penta
FAQ Serial number - FAQ : Volvo Penta
How to identify your engine or drive

 

[luke27612]

No Title

Thanks for the info. I am still a little confused. Here are pictures of my stern drive. Is this the sender? It seems like a piece of plastic with couple wires. It doesn't seem like much can be done to this unit beside replacing it. I took a picture of inside too. What are recommended next steps. Thanks

 

[Fun Times]

Yes that's the sensor.
On the inside of the boat, you could try finding the wire connector for the trim by following the wires coming out of the transom assembly heading usually to the rear/center area of the engine and ohms check the wires to see if the sending unit appears to fluctuate evenly while turning the sender unit. If you don't get a good reading then you may need to replace the sending unit as it's not designed to serviceable....But before installing a new one, be sure to test the new one before installing it to the boat to ensure you don't have other problems such as bad gauge or 12 volt power or ground problem at the gauge or signal wire problem between the gauge and engine area by plugging in the new sender unit at the rear of the engine area, turn the ignition key switch on then turn the new sender to see if the gauge moves.

Also another way to test the gauge itself would be to turn the key switch on and ground out the gauge signal terminal to see if the gauge moves to the opposite max reading. The gauge wire post terminal may have an ("S") near it that stands for signal.

 

[luke27612]

Thanks!!! I have noticed something weird after trying your troubleshooting guidance. When I have removed the sensor and moved it back and forward to maximums the gauge started to move again. So looks like the for some reason the gauge works again when in hand. So that is a good news. Looks like need to recalibrate where are the max points and should be good to go. Thanks again!

 

[bruceb58]

Almost for sure water has gotten in and corroded the contacts...common issue. Your problem will come back. I replaced mine and won't be doing it again when it fails again.

 

[luke27612]

Why not doing it again? Since I got it operational, would it be worth covering with some grease from inside part to waterproof it?

 

[bruceb58]

Why not doing it again? Since I got it operational, would it be worth covering with some grease from inside part to waterproof it?

Because the part is very expensive for the little worth a trim gauge gives you.

 

[JERKRIS06]

Hi there, the trim sender should be mounted to the starboard side gimbal ring ( drive steering) on the outside of the boat.

You'll need/want to find out if the trim sender you have is a two or three wire unit. They can be bought here on iboats, item number 1, http://www.volvopentastore.com/Trim-...view_id.783189

The following link are some tips for you to keep in mind, http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engin...sx-trim-switch

Here are some images for you to look at as well, http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...ts&FORM=HDRSC2

If you can locate a tag someplace on the stern drive, it should have your full model number on it in order to find the correct parts catalog for your drive unit....Same thing for your engine model as well.

Fun Times,

I just recently purchased a 2006 Singray 180 with the Volvo, my trim gauge is maxed out in the up position, discovered damaged wires for the sending unit. On the link you included, is it safe to assume mine is originally supposed to be the two-wire sensor?

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[JERKRIS06]

Well for some reason my pics won't embed properly but I pulled a two wire sending unit off

 

[dannyual767]

I, too have a non-functioning trim gauge in my 2004 Stingray 200LX with a Volvo Penta 5.0GL-E. It worked well for the first 6 summers that I owned the boat but last summer, it quit. It would be nice to have it again but I've just learned to live without it.

 

[GA_Boater]

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