Trim tab and Outdrive trim sensors

R

Reed Sirinek

Member
Jul 20, 2022
34
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 240 DA Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser 350 MAG MPI
BG: My/Our first boat is a 240 Sundancer. This is our first season at a Marina in a wetslip on the Ohio River North of Pittsburgh.

On the dash the gauge for Outdrive trim does not sweep smoothly. When lowering it the needle is at Max Up then as I lower it the needle does not move. As I continue to lower it for a few more seconds it quickly sweeps from all the way up to all the way down.

Q: Is this normal on a 2007 sundancer. I've got the gear lube in the safe zone in the reservoir. Is there any maintenance I can do to have the needle on the dash be more accurate/reactive?

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Recently I tried to quickly get on plane and got an error or warning (not sure) about the trim tabs not being down or the position of them not being detected.

Q: I dont have a specific question other than to ask for feedback. I made sure the ATF for the reservoir was in the safe zone level. I did wash the bilge right before this happened. Any feedback's appreciated.
 
This is not normal operation. There are sensors on the outdrive that are notorious for going bad. They can be a booger to replace as the wires go through the transom.
 
Thanks glad I joined the community.

Sounds like an out of the water / end of season repair. The control switch actually seems to function correctly and the outdrive is going up/down bc I can hear the motor. It's just an inconvenience for the rest of the season. Is this okay to just continue boating?
 
Yes it is OK to continue boating... I quit fulling with the sensors and just went by sound and feel. You can hear when the trim bottoms out and that's where I would start... then once on plane, trim up till cavitation starts and the back down a bit. YMMV

Welcome to CSR!
 
I see you asked a few questions.

1. The trim gauge question was answered. If you are replacing the drive sensors yourself at end of season, should have the manual as a guide. I have the manual in PDF if you need it.

2. The blue fluid in the little square bottle is drive oil for the stern drive. That is Mercruiser HP gear oil. Has nothing to do with drive trim up and down or trim tabs. if in safe zone, good to go. The drive trim has a separate pump and has the reservoir under the pump, along with relays on the bracket.

On the trim tabs, do they operate from the tab switch(s) on the helm? Have you checked if they are actually moving as required? The sensors are inside the trim tab actuators (sensors) and are pretty reliable. If tab isn't moving, I have some tab operation troubleshooting guides and diagrams.
 
Bill Curtis said:
I see you asked a few questions.

1. The trim gauge question was answered. If you are replacing the drive sensors yourself at end of season, should have the manual as a guide. I have the manual in PDF if you need it.

2. The blue fluid in the little square bottle is drive oil for the stern drive. That is Mercruiser HP gear oil. Has nothing to do with drive trim up and down or trim tabs. if in safe zone, good to go. The drive trim has a separate pump and has the reservoir under the pump, along with relays on the bracket.

On the trim tabs, do they operate from the tab switch(s) on the helm? Have you checked if they are actually moving as required? The sensors are inside the trim tab actuators (sensors) and are pretty reliable. If tab isn't moving, I have some tab operation troubleshooting guides and diagrams.
Click to expand...
My trims tabs are moving. BC on plane I can list or level the boat w the trim tab controls. Thanks, so the ATF reservoir at the back of the bilge is for the drive trim?
 
If it looks like this, then yes.

Mercruiser drive tilt / trim pump
upload_2022-7-22_2-39-45.png


Bennett Trim Tab pump:
upload_2022-7-22_2-42-17.png


Mercruiser Outdrive Oil res:
upload_2022-7-22_2-47-1.png
 
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