Sea Ray Trim Problem

[phurst]

Hello,<br />I'm new to this forum and find that there is a lot of good info here. Here's my problem: I have a 1989 Sea Ray 200, 4.3 and Alpha One. On the throttle I have two rocker switches, one for "UP" and "DOWN" when launching/retrieving (I think) and one for "UP/DOWN" trim. All operations work except the "UP" trim. I checked the switch and it's o.k. I checked the wiring from switch to pump and it is intact. The problem I found was that the wire that controls the "UP" trim runs from the switch to a connection near the pump that connects to another wire that runs through the transom to a trim tilt sensor thing, then runs back to the pump. I checked the integrity of all the wires and none are broken. I did notice that the 2 wires going to the trim sensor were connected to it but kind of frayed where they connect. I figured maybe the sensor was broken (due to age), put a jumper across the two wires and Voila! my "UP" trim now works. Am I damaging anything by doing this and can I more permanantly connect these two wires to allow my "UP" trim to work? I know this isn't the ideal situation but it looks like I have to remove the whole rear assembly to replace the trim sensor and that's just not in the budget/plans for now. Am I crazy? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Sea Ray Trim Problem

Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />The sensor you're talking about is the Trim Limiter. It prevents you from trimming the drive to an angle that is very hard on the u-joints, gimbal bearing, and engine coupler. It also helps prevent you from trimming the drive up far enough to suck air into the prop and possibly overrev your motor and toss a rod. Can you do damage by bypassing it? Yup! You can probably take it apart and clean it. Mark where it came off so you can get it back to it's original position.<br /><br />There should be an Up/Down toggle on the shift lever plus an Up button to raise the drive farther for trailering and shallow water. That'll override the trim limit switch, but obviously you do that on a running motor at your own peril. Slow speed isn't so much a problem as high speed.<br /><br />It is possible to replace the senders without disassembling the rear end. You need the right tools and a ton of patience. That's one of the jobs I hate the most.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sea Ray Trim Problem

The Only thing I can add to Willy's post is,<br />I've by-passed Everyone I've Ever Owned........... <br />I relie on "Seat of the Pants", to know Where my outdrive is...........

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Sea Ray Trim Problem

Posted this somewhere else on here tonight, but since it seems appropriate to this thread...<br /><br /><br />This is condensed from a post I found on the net a while back and found useful. Thanks to one Larry Dean.<br /><br />"On the Alpha 1 the sender for the trim gauge is on the gimbal housing. It is a circular black housing with two screws on each side. Have someone sit in the boat and turn on the ignition (do not start the boat), loosen the screws and rotate the sender. Does the gauge move? If so, you simply need to adjust the unit. Lower the drive all the way and adjust the sending unit to make the trim gauge read full down.<br /><br />If the gauge still does not read then check to make sure that the wiring is good. There should be 4 wires to the gauge, 12V+ (purple), ground (black), gauge light (blue) and then the signal from the sending unit. No idea what this color may be but perhaps green with a stripe. Anyway, use a voltmeter and see if the gauge is getting 12V+. If the light in the gauge works, this will confirm that the ground is good as well. Set your meter for resistance (ohms)and pull the sending unit signal wire from the gauge. Put your meter between ground and the signal wire. Have your friend rotate the sending unit on the outdrive. Does the resistance change? It should. If it doesn't you need a new sending unit. If it does then your gauge is likely bad. Try a friends gauge. Simply wire it in from underneath the dash and rotate the sending unit. The gauge should move.<br /><br />Doing this will check for improper adjustment, test for power, ground and signal, check for bad wiring, check the sender and finally check the gauge. One of these will be the culprit."<br /><br />Like Bondo, I don't care if the gauge works or not as I trim by feel...however it does have to go up and down

 

[phurst]

Re: Sea Ray Trim Problem

Thanks for the replies.<br />If I read correctly, bypassing the Trim Limiter doesn't cause any harm by itself (like burning up wires or something), but the collateral damage done by overtrimming "UP" while at speed could cause serious damage to the drive or even the engine (if it overrevs)? I agree about the Trim gauge, mine hasn't worked since I got the boat and it hasn't bothered me but this is the first time the trim quit working altogether. Bondo, are you saying you don't have any trouble when you bypass the limiter or the gauge? Or are they the same sensor? I guess if you really knew your boat, it wouldn't be much of a problem. Willy, my hat's off to you for changing that thing while on the boat. If I had ten tons of patience I don't think I could change it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sea Ray Trim Problem

Bondo, are you saying you don't have any trouble when you bypass the limiter or the gauge? Or are they the same sensor?

I just tie the wires up, Or cut them Off at the Transom Plate.......<br />1's the Limit Switch,+ the other is the Gauge Sender.......<br /><br />No Gauge.....<br />No Limit........

 

[phurst]

Re: Sea Ray Trim Problem

Thanks Bondo,<br /><br />I think that's what I'll do. I really want to go to the lake this weekend and if that will get me on the water then so be it! I'll just have to pay attention....