Volvo penta 290 outdrive trim issue, square gauge.

[dave7575]

Hello

I have an issue with my 290 outdrive trim gauge indicating incorrectly. Hard to explain so I took a small Video of me trimming up then fully down.

https://youtu.be/J-INtLI8ZwY

As seen in the video the number display doesn't work and has never the time I've owned the boat. But just recently the red led jumps on when trimming up or down and stops the pump.
Any help would be much appreciated

David

 

[alldodge]

Unless and expert comes along I would say your trim sender has gone bad and needs replaced

 

[kenny nunez]

A D is probably right. I was at a Volvo school once and the instructor said that the guy who designed the trim sender and gauge must also design Pin Ball machines. We used to call the sender a YO-YO . The cable that goes through the transom plate to the drive always would bind and the spring in the sender was not strong enough to retract.

 

[kenny nunez]

I just realized that the 290 used a plastic gear on the top of the drive, The sender is corroded on the inside. Also inspect the wires coming out of the sender to make sure they are not starting to crumble.
The 280 was the one with the YO-YO.

 

[Scott Danforth]

since nothing is displayed, my gut feeling is the gauge itself is bad. Trim sender could be bad too (or the star wheel and gear segment that drives it). there are some NOS square gauges on ebay. the prices are way too high, however they are there. I had to replace mine 3 years ago for similar voodoo.

 

[dave7575]

I just realized that the 290 used a plastic gear on the top of the drive, The sender is corroded on the inside. Also inspect the wires coming out of the sender to make sure they are not starting to crumble.
The 280 was the one with the YO-YO.

Thanks. I'l check condition of the plug and wires to the sender.

 

[dave7575]

since nothing is displayed, my gut feeling is the gauge itself is bad. Trim sender could be bad too (or the star wheel and gear segment that drives it). there are some NOS square gauges on ebay. the prices are way too high, however they are there. I had to replace mine 3 years ago for similar voodoo.

Thanks. I'll check the condition of the sender before replacing the gauge. Do you know if the gauge can be repaired ?

David

 

[Scott Danforth]

maybe 20 years ago. do a google search, maybe there is some mom-and-pop outfit that repairs them. I paid $125 on ebay 3 years ago for NOS.

 

[dave7575]

Thanks. I'l check condition of the plug and wires to the sender.

I removed the bolt from the securing plate.
Tried to withdraw sender but it hits the transom.
Have I missed something ? Is something else holding it in ?

thanks David

 

[dave7575]

I removed the bolt from the securing plate.
Tried to withdraw sender but it hits the transom.
Have I missed something ? Is something else holding it in ?

thanks David

 

[kenny nunez]

Get a wood chisel and cut out enough to remove the sender.

 

[Scott Danforth]

what is that goo all over your tiller arm?

 

[dave7575]

what is that goo all over your tiller arm?

Hi. It' grease from the exit of the grease nipple just below that area.

 

[dave7575]

Get a wood chisel and cut out enough to remove the sender.

Thanks I'll give that a try. Just surprised it must be the original sender, must have never been removed.
David

 

[dave7575]

what is that goo all over your tiller arm?

The grease was the problem. It passed the Internal o ring of the sender. I managed to get it free and open it up. After a clean with electrical spray cleaner it' reading steady on a multimeter. Thanks to for your help.