trim tab issues. 2005 sea ray 280 sundancer

Nelco

Member
Sep 19, 2020
31
San Antonio, TX
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2003
Engines
305 Mercruiser
Podt in snother are and it was suggested that i post here..

Trying to get my 2005 280 Sundancer ready for the slip.. So close! (Twin 305 MerCruisers)

Ran into an issue and need your advice.

Starboard Trim-Tab - Seem to be working correctly
Port Trim-Tab - When you hit the down button you can hear a relay but nothing happens. Up button has no relay click. No movement on trim-tab.

I checked the level in the hydraulic reservoir ( on the Port side of engine compartment) and it was low. Add some fluid.. Didn't make a difference but the fluid is getting a bit foamy..
 
Checked out the doc and looks like my trim tab hydraulic pump isn't the same.. Also the helm has a sealed panel and only has 4 wires running to it.
 
Checked out the doc and looks like my trim tab hydraulic pump isn't the same.. Also the helm has a sealed panel and only has 4 wires running to it.[/Q

Are you sure it's a Bennett system? Can you post some photos of pump and control switch?
 
Here is an image of my trim tab pump.
 

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Do you have sterndrives? That's a photo of your outdrive hydraulic trim pump. Not sure that also runs your trim tabs... Have you been referring to trim TABS or OUTDRIVE trim?
 
Amajamar.. I'm a bit clueless.

Twin 305 Mercruiser.

That hydraulic pump pictured is on the port side of the bilge. There is an identical pump on the starboard side in the extreme back corner behind the vacuum system for the head. it's so tight in there that you can't actually see it without sticking a camera back there.
 
Ok, I'm fairly certain there are two separate systems and that the trim tabs are not running off the outdrive trim pumps, though I could be wrong. If you can see the transom you will see a couple of plastic hoses that run to a pump mounted to on the transom. The trim tab pump is a squarish cube shaped plastic thing with two 1/4" black hoses connected to the face of it. You definitely have sterndrives as you would not have that pump shown in your photo otherwise. Those other pumps are to tilt the outdrives up and down.
 
I'll take a look! Thank you so much for taking time to answer! I'm learning all of this the hard way!
 
Not a problem! Take a look at the dash panel and make sure that you identify the trim tab control switch. Maybe take a photo of it too. The outdrive trim controls are probably on the throttle/drive shift control (thumb switch?), but also verify that.

Also, I just verified that there is only four wires to the helm control. red, green, yellow and blue. The troubleshooting instructions are generally directing you to the wiring harness plug that's located at the pump on the transom.
 
Watch this video.
This gives a good description of the trim tab system and should help you identify the problem.
 
Nelco,

The pump in the picture is for elevating the sterndrive; pump on port is for port engine, starboard pump starboard drive. These adjust the position of the sterndrive. There is a single pump for the tabs. It is located on the port side of the transom near the water heater.

With the 280 you will find the tabs are only needed for fine tuning leveling the port/starboard position. Bow attitude is largely controlled through the drive trim position.
 
Henry,, that helps a TON! Will check it out.

One question.. IF Starboard trim tabs are working but port side just occasionally clicks, should I look at helm panel or wiring as the more likely problem?
 
Henry,, that helps a TON! Will check it out.

One question.. IF Starboard trim tabs are working but port side just occasionally clicks, should I look at helm panel or wiring as the more likely problem?
Now that you have located the trim tab pump, you should follow the troubleshooting guide as shown earlier in this thread.
 
Now that you have located the trim tab pump, you should follow the troubleshooting guide as shown earlier in this thread.

I'd suggest caution and hold off on that. The tabs on the 280 run through the port helm switch pad and Aft EIM module. As a result any electrical tests should be conducted with a measure of caution. The only place the wiring coloor codes for the the tab system will match the instructions for a pure Bennett system are at the connection to the pump. As I recall the wires coming off of the EIM do not match the Bennett colors.
 

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