Volvo penta trim gauge issue

[fishingman52]

First time starting topic bare with me thanks in advance for all help have found much useful info here over the years and by no means claim I am a mechanic. 5.7 Vortec with 290 dp drive trim gauge. The problem started couple seasons ago and has gotten progressively worse. When problem started would just shut down motor and restart to solve problem now all the time. Trim gauge works just fine when key is at accessory position soon as key is turned to crank motor gauge goes haywire and gives different readings not consistent at all but still operates drive,gauge just doesn't read correctly if at all. So far this is what has been done replace trim sending unit and gauge, replace all 4 relays pertaining to trim system 2 on pump 2 at gauge replaced 70amp starter relay checked all grounds still problem not sure where to go from here help. By the way this is the round gauge not square

 

[Scott Danforth]

square or round gauge? if its the square gauge, then the gauge may be going belly up.

have you checked the connections at the trim sensor?

guessing the motor was replaced, as the vortec motors are 1996 and later, and the 290DP was 1989 and earlier

 

[chrisdog]

I have a 1994 DP-C1 drive that I believe is very similar to yours and was having your same problem several years ago. Turns out my problem was due to a strange looking electronic part I found in the dash called a "Control Unit for Digital / Analog Trim Instrument ". I replaced it and T/T has worked great since. You might do some research and see if you have the same part on your drive as this seems like the only thing you haven't checked / replaced. Good luck

 

[fishingman52]

Thanks Chrisdog will look and see if I have that by any chance you remember what it looked like

 

[chrisdog]

No idea if yours is the same or even if your model has one, but mine is black plastic about 3 or 4 in. square and maybe 1 in.thick. It is also called a trim limiter and is in the wiring between the sending unit and the gauge. Mine was buried in the wiring in the dash. However, I believe some models have the trim limiter built into the gauge itself. Very confusing to us non-pros. You might check volvopentastore for a schematic of your drive to determine what you have.

 

[fishingman52]

Did some research and found out what you were talking about chrisdog but of coarse that does not apply to my model but thanks for response battle continues my gauge model #872498 is the round and I do believe the limiter is in unit.