Trim problems

[dn010]

My stern drive has been in the up position for probably half a year to a full year. I hit the switch to lower the unit but only one ram was working and the other not. Got the other ram working so now the unit is all the way down. At this point, the gauge says the unit is still all the way up and hitting the switch to go "up" results in silence. I have 4 wires coming from my stern drive into the engine bay, 2 of which are not hooked up and are severely burnt up. What are these wires? Is there a limit switch? Also where can I look for the sensor...Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. This is for a '78 Century with 470 MerCruiser drive and engine, so I don't have all the fancy stuff like the sensor that is mounted above the shift cables or even a plastic reservoir on my trim tank... Thanks in advance -----Dani B.

 

[redjmp]

Re: Trim problems

2 of those wires are from the trim limiting switch and the other 2 are the trim sending unit.

Does the leg go up when you press the up and trailer button at ther same time?

The trailer button just shorts out the trim switch so even if its bad you should still be able to raise the leg.

Not sure about a 470 but on other Mercruisers, the sender and switch look like little hockey pucks and they are mounted right over the gimbal bearings.

 

[dn010]

Re: Trim problems

Thanks for your reply! - Only have "tilt" and "trim" switches and tilt doesn't do anything at all so I doubt hitting them together will work but I am all for trying it once I get outta work. I'm assuming it is my limit switch that is disconnected since my gauge is telling me my drive is in the up position, otherwise the gauge wouldn't read at all right? To make matters worse, I have a one solenoid system, not the updated 2 (which I'm considering if the price is right". Is there any way to bypass the solenoid to get my drive up? Thanks!

 

[dn010]

Re: Trim problems

Okay so you are correct, pushing up tilt and trim together and the thing goes the way I want it.....and then? trim pump is now leaking! It is disconnected and I'll deal with it in the AM. I am going to post a picture of what I got, maybe someone can help me determine what the situation is with my limit switch. Thank you kindly Redjmp! I am a happy camper getting closer to putting this boat in the water!

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Trim problems

Here is the OEM service manual you need...

http://www.4shared.com/document/z_94xkbJ/Mercruiser_Service_Manual_4_19.htm

 

[dn010]

Re: Trim problems

Thank you for the manual that helps me out greatly!!

Update on my leaking trim pump-I took it apart to find it half full of water and have blown O-rings which is why it was leaking... So I suppose today I will be taking all the hydraulics apart to clean them and make sure there is no more water in the system...

 

[dn010]

Re: Trim problems

Just wanted to thank you all for your help. I cleaned out the entire trim system of the water, put it together and it works now! My trim limit switch and sender wires are shot so I'm in the middle of replacing those now but as long as it works I'm happy...Thanks again everyone!!