Trim / Tilt gauge not working

[bijou22]

I have a wellcraft 21sl 1996 with volvo penta 4.3gl and cobra sx leg.The trim/tilt gauge does not work at all on the dash. I had noticed previously that a cable hanging around the leg had lost its plastic sheathing. Could this be the sender shorting out and causing problems?

 

[javsam]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

could have a break in the wire there.<br />javsam

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

1. Make sure you have all the wires attached correctly to include tight, clean connections... you may know this already, but the ground wire should go to the "G" post on the gauge, the sending wire should go to the "S" post and the power/ignition wire goes to the "I". You can hop from the "I" post to the "L" post if the gauge has a light or wire the "L" post to a dashboard switch. <br /><br />2. Test the gauge by connecting the sender wire to the ground post. The needle should peg all the way to the right. Here's a complete link to a gauge troubleshooting guide:<br /><br /> http://www.teleflexmarine.com/cgi-bin/frameset2.cgi?site=gauges&type=int&link2=1047 <br /><br />3. If the gauge works, start at the back of the gauge and check the connections and wiring all the way back to the sending unit. If you find any corroded connection points or broken, freyed wires, replace them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

I had noticed previously that a cable hanging around the leg had lost its plastic sheathing.

That was probably a stainless steel bonding wire, and does not have any sheating.<br /><br />Regarding your trim gauge, what is the model number of your engine? Makes a difference as to which system you have, and the year of the boat isn't always a good indication.<br />Read this: Volvo Engine ID <br /><br />The sender itself was the main problem with those drives, the newer senders seem to last a lot longer, but that doesn't mean that is your problem. Could be the wiring/connections, could be the black box, could be the gauge. Just takes some trouble shooting. Once we know which model you have.

 

[bijou22]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

Details are:<br />Engine - 3868618<br />4.3 GL PLKD

 

[bijou22]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

Just thought I would add that the needle is already all the way to the right regardless of power on or off. With power on, a test lamp will light when connected from ground to ignition. The light also works, and there is no sign of bad connections or corrosion, in fact all the gauges are in immaculate condition.

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

You have an LK model. Below is copied out of the Volvo service manual #7797362<br /><br />Trim Sending Unit<br /><br />Test Procedure<br />Remove sender from gimbal ring. Disconnect the sender 3-pin connector inside the boat.<br />1. Attach an ohmmeter between the "A" terminal black lead and the terminal "C" black lead of the sending unit. Slowly rotate the sending unit control nut counter clockwise until the ohmmeter is set at infinity or open line (OL), then slowly rotate control counter clockwise and ohmmeter will jump to 0 ohms. Continue to rotate control nut for a highest ohmmeter reading of 625 -+ 5 ohms.<br />2. Attach an ohmmeter between the "A" terminal black lead and the terminal "B" white lead of the sender. Slowly rotate control nut counter clockwise. Ohmmeter should maintain a steady 625 -+ 5 ohms.<br />3. Attach an ohmmeter between the "’C" terminal black lead and the terminal "B’" white lead of the sender. Slowly rotate the sending unit control nut counter clockwise until the ohmmeter is set at infinity or open line (OL), then slowly rotate control nut counter clockwise and ohmmeter ,will jump to a highest ohmmeter reading of 625 -+ 5 ohms. Continue to rotate control nut for a lowest ohm reading of 0. If sender fails one of the three previous ohmmeter tests, replace the sender.<br /><br />Adjustment Procedure<br />1. Attach an ohmmeter between the "A" terminal black lead and the terminal "C" black lead of the sending unit. Slowly turn the sending unit control nut until the meter reads 11 -+ 1 ohm.<br />2. With the pivot housing pushed in towards the gimbal housing, install and engage the sending unit control nut into the pivot bolt head. Install two trim sender mountings crews finger tight.<br />3. With the pivot housing pushed in toward the gimbal housing, check adjustment of sending unit. Rotate sending unit to obtain a 11 -+ 1 ohm reading on the meter, then tighten mountings crews to a torque of 18-24i n. Ibs. (2,0-2,7 N-m).<br />4. Tilt the pivot housing full up and back down to verify ohm reading did not change<br /><br />

 

[bijou22]

Re: Trim / Tilt gauge not working

Thanks for this information, do I need to take the boat out of the water to perform these operations?