Troubleshooting a Volvo Penta 280 Lift Mechanism

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gsvh747

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Oct 24, 2011
Messages
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I acquired this Wilcox 22 CC Downeast a few years ago and the outdrive lift mechanism wiring was disconnected. I recently ordered two new relays (876037) from iBoats and a new trim tab up/down switch that looks similar to the original corroded control switch.

The motor runs when hooked up directly to a battery. But when I hook up the two power cables from the control box on top of the unit, nothing happens. I hooked up the relays exactly like the old Bosch relays were hooked up.

Is there a wiring diagram that shows how the relays and the up/down switch should be hooked up? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, GarySV
 
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kenny nunez

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Jun 20, 2017
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The problem might be with the limit switch in the relay box. Pull the switch up and see if the spring loaded button is out and free to move in & out. The plastic switch housing may be cracked. When the drive is all the way down the lift rod contacts the switch to stop the motor . There are 3 spade connections on the switch and if they are not connected correctly that could also be the problem. When the button is pushed in 2 of the spades will not have continuity , when out just the opposite. There also may be a circuit breaker or a fuse near by to check. Is there power to the lift switch on the instrument panel ? When you fed the motor directly did the motor raise or lower the drive? My brain is empty now.
 
G

gsvh747

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Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
6
Kenny, thanks for responding.
I have the lift unit out of the boat in my shop.
When I hooked up the motor directly yo the battery, the motor does move the push rod and also retract it when the polarity is reversed on the motor.
I did check the limit switch with my continuity tester to see if the switch is working and it is.
I will play around with the three wires that go to the control switch for up/down function to see if that is the problem. There is a brown wire, a blue wire and a blue/yellow wire that goes to the switch.
I was hoping that there was a wiring diagram somewhere that would define how these colored wires are hooked up. All was disconnected when I got the boat.
Thanks!
GarySV
 
K

kenny nunez

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Jun 20, 2017
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Sorry I do not have any service manuals to give you the diagram. I closed my shop in 03. Does your switch panel have a amber pilot light ? It should come on as soon as the drive starts to lift. That is the purpose of one of the wires that connects to the limit switch.
Working with it as you are is a good idea as some boats are a PITA to work on to get to the relay box.
 
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gsvh747

Cadet
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
6
Scott Danforth, thanks for finding the manual with the wiring diagram. That is a great start. I am thinking that the old Bosch relays may have been hooked up incorrectly since I duplicated the hook up from the way it was.

There was an amber indicator light (lens only) in a black circular mounting bracket that also had the original, corroded trim switch. I found a replacement trim switch and I can see why the indicator light would be important. The wiring diagram shows how it is hooked up.

I have also found some YouTube instructional videos on how relays work and I will study them tomorrow. Hopefully with this new information I can get it figured out. I'll let you know how it goes.

THANKS AGAIN!!!
 
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