Volvo Penta SX Trim Sensor adjustment

[sanny651]

Hey all,

We just bought our first boat. A 2002 Glastron SX 170. Had only 67 hours on it when we got it and is in excellent condition. Ran into a few snags that were due to lack of use and previous owner lack of knowledge, but aside from that we seem to be in decent shape I hope.

The trim gauge starting goofing on us this week. In reading on the interweb google machine, it sounds like the sender could be bad. If I unbolt the sender, I can get the gauge to go full sweep. I checked here on how to adjust/replace it, but it only pops up a blank page.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...utdrives/505148-volvo-sx-outdrive-trim-sensor

Any suggestions on where I can find instructions on how to test this? BTW, when I hooked it back up, the gauge seemed to be operational again. I'll check for wires that may have gotten pinched or something, but assuming it's the sender, I need help in understanding how to test and replace (although replacing it seems easy enough...I only have the 3.0 Volvo so there's a lot of room in the engine well.

Thanks!

 

[sanny651]

Just an update. I was able to identify that when I turn the wheel in certain positions the gauge works, but when I have it in other specific positions it does not. This leads me to believe that it's a bad wire vs. a bad sensor. So now the million dollar question is whether I splice in a piece of wire and shrink tube the soldered connection or if I replace the entire sensor. Hmmmm....

 

[spoilsofwar]

Look up in there... My drive smashed the sender wires causing shorts. I cut and spliced new wire, and it still works to this day.

Http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...tdrives/9978176-volvo-sx-a-trim-sender-wiring

 

[bruceb58]

You need a new sender. Just so you know, it will eventually fail again. When mine fails again, I am ditching the gauge.

 

[sanny651]

Thank you! I will check the wires first. This is our first boat. I've been around boats most of my life but they've all been outboards, so being my first IO, I rely on the trim gauge quite a bit and compare that to my depth gauge when running in the shallows. I'm sure I'll get better in time, but for now, I need that gauge.

 

[sanny651]

Well, it's official...now the sender is indeed shot. while I was moving wires around trying to find if/where a break may have been, the wires broke by the sender. So, I'll get a new one. Where can I download a service manual for this engine/outdrive? I'm willing to pay if necessary, but am hoping to find online PDF's or something that will get me where I need to go with this sender. Thanks!

 

[sanny651]

I was able to get the old sender and wires out with "relative" ease....relative meaning that it took less than 15 minutes once I got the instructions. I'll have to get the new sendor and install it, but I'm THINKING it shouldn't be all that difficult. Question...how important is it to have that clip on the grommet? Seems that there's plenty enough friction there to hold it in place. I pulled it out and sure enough, dropped it and can't find the doggone thing. I can get another one, but am wondering how I'm going to get that bugger back in there. I'll figure it out if I have to, but again, it seems like there's plenty enough there to keep that thing in place.

 

[bruceb58]

I would get/use the clip. If something tugs on the wires someday and pulls it out...big problems. You might even sink!

It may come with the new sender anyway.

 

[spoilsofwar]

A good tip is to tie some fishing line to the clip and attach it to something on the engine or transom shield before you try to install it. That way if you drop it while trying to get it on the grommet (and you will, trust me), it won't be lost to the bilge.

 

[sanny651]

I will follow your lead. Hoping to get the boat wet tomorrow, so if I can't find the clip I'll buy one and install it later. I like the fishing line idea...well played! Thank you all for your help! Hopefully the new sender will arrive tomorrow early afternoon so I can install and get it out there.

 

[sanny651]

Only remaining question I have is the sender on the boat is a 3 wire. just noticed that the plug on the engine is a two wire. I'm sure it will work fine, but is there a difference in the two black leads coming off the sender? I'm assuming not as it's just a pot sender, but I figured I'd ask as the instructions for the 3 wire state that there is a ribbed black one and a smooth black one.

 

[sanny651]

Got everything installed and it's working like a champ. Thanks!