2004 340 Sundancer Trim tabs - not working

So I searched to see if this was already on here somewhere and I couldn’t find it. That probably is more due to being a novice at navigating this forum and less to do with it not actually being posted here.

Anyway, I have an 04’ 340 dancer and today my starboard side trim tab just stopped working. When I press the switch I hear what I assume is the hydraulic motor kicking on but the trim tab won’t go up or down. My port is operating fine.

My first question is what brand of trim tabs are on my boat? I’m assuming Bennett. Second, does anyone have an idea of what my issue can be?

Assuming these are Bennett I was reading that a common problem is corrosion at the connections causing a voltage drop. It seems the solenoid that opens and closes to allow the hydraulic fluid in/out requires more voltage to operate then the hydraulic motor itself. So my symptoms seem to say that the hydraulic motor is operational but the solenoid is not. I plan on checking that theory tomorrow when I get down to the boat.

Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, etc?

If you can post a pic of the pump (HPU) then we can help better.

If it is a Bennett setup, just swap hydraulic lines on pump. If problem moves to other tab, it is HPU, not the pistons or lines out to drive. Or take cover off pump. There are two solenoids there (Take pictures for ref). Swap them and see if problem moved to other tab. If it does, bad solenoid. Or there is a little white plastic valve under solenoid, Bend a hook onto end of paper clip and pop the valve out. Sometimes a little terd gets stuck in there . Just clean out and reassemble.

Bennett site has a bunch of docs concerning Bennett tabs if you need it. Also, about a dozen videos on You tube, from Bennett, showing trouble shooting techniques.

They used to have a fellow nicknamed "Tab Man" (Tom McGow)on this site , but he passed a coupler of years ago. Best customer service person I EVER dealt with. He is sorely missed.

Here is an excerpt of a e-mail Tom sent to me:

2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running.

3. Conduct the following test:
Remove the wires from the helm control and touch together as follows:
Operation=Reaction
Orange (+), blue, red= Port trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, green=Starboard trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, red, green= Both trim tabs down
Orange (+), yellow, red= Port trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, green=Starboard trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, red, green= Both trim tabs up

If the trim tabs function correctly for each wire grouping then the switch is at fault. Also note that any loose or missing screws on the back of the switch (whether a wire is connected there or not) can cause the pump to malfunction.

This test may also be done right at the pump by substituting a "hot lead" for orange. There is usually a connector to the wire harness within a foot or so of the pump. You want to check this connection for corrosion. You may wish to cut the connector off on the pump side and try the test on bare wires.

So I was able to use the information you provided from Tom to figure out my problem. Sort of. I disconnected the harness at the pump and ran power directly from the battery to each pin. The pump worked in forward and reverse. The port solenoid worked. The starboard did not. Perfect! My local store had one in stock. I replaced it and tested everything manually (power to each pin from the battery) and everything worked. Tabs went up. Tabs went down.

Then the bigger problem revealed itself. When I went to the helm to test the tab control switches they would not work. My 340 has Sea Ray’s switch pads which are basically impossible to diagnose and work on. The rest of the switches on the pad work but those do not. I am not sure if I switches failed or if it is something else. They were working yesterday.

I am thinking that the switch has been on its way out. While it worked yesterday it seemed a little intermittent/faulty. I’m thinking the switch may have sent power on and off to the solenoid all weekend killing the solenoid but after replacing the starboard solenoid I realized the real problem may be the switch itself.

My next thought is to find a new port side switch pad ( Part # 1810625) but they seem absolutely impossible to find. What’s even worse is I may have a bad EIM and it may not even be the switch. Unfortunately, due to how sea ray designed these switch pads I’m not left with a ton of options to continue to diagnose, service, etc.

If anyone has any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc I would love to hear them. Thanks!