Me too, me too -- InstaTrim Boat Leveler trim tab problems
 

Does anyone happen to know why they go up but won't go down?

See here's the problem...They're stuck in the full up position(since they won't go down). When I push the buttons on the dash to raise them, I can hear the pump working -- when I go to put them down, I get no response...

Any ideas. I don't use them too often and that's why I really haven't made a big fuss over it, but nonetheless it would be nice if they worked.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.
:cool:

Sounds like the switch is bad, you might want to get a wiring diagram and check for voltage.

I thought of that too, but both of them?...going bad at the same time?...:confused:

Have you checked to make sure there is fluid in the reservoir?

I say that because mine is leaking out the left side (as your looking at the reservoir) and I have to keep refilling it. I'm not sure how to stop the leak without replacing the whole unit.

Thanks for the info!
Chris, It's full of fluid. I checked that and not a drop is missing.
But I would think the motor would still run right...it just wouldn't move the tabs anywhere. I don't even hear the motor when I push the down buttons.[But can hear it when pushing buttons up].

Gottahaveit,
I checked the insta-trim site and what Dave mentioned makes sense. I'll have to look closely, but I'm puzzled why both sides would stop working at the same time. The two switches would each have their own red wire, right?
Anyway, It's gotta be electrical one way or the other....I'll have to poke around and see.

Thanks for asking for me. :cool:

Oh and by the way, I already have a set of those torx security bits.

I found my set in Lowe's

Baja Daze, my tabs wont go down when they are under a
heavy load (i.e. getting onto plane). I think because the
cylinders are just too wimpy to push the tab against the
water. They work fine when idling and after I'm on plane.
Don't know if that's your problem or not. Just figured I'd
tune in.
-Chad

Baja Daze, never mind my reply. If you can hear the pump
working you must not have the engine running, therefore
not trying to get onto plane. OOPS.

Chad, mine did the same thing when I replaced the cylinders and lines with new ones. I filled the resevior and they would not go all the way down when the boat was in the water, worked fine out of the water.

Answer: you probably have air trapped in your lines. Keep the cylinder full and remove the fill plug, work the up and down 5-6 times. The air worked its way out and I had to refill the cylinder again, (yes, all the way, it sucked a quart up into the lines). They work fine now. It will take alot of cycling(up/down) of the cylinders to get all the air out.

99hammer,
You're probably right on what Chad's problem is...Sounds like air is being compressed under the heavier loads. Purge your system.

As for my problem...They won't go down, period! The motor will not even turn when I push the down buttons, only when I push the up buttons. It has to be some electrical bug. I have yet to take a look -- 2 more days until the weekend! :D

Baja Daze,

Is the problem in the switch or the motor? Can you apply power directly to the down wires and have it work? Did you check the wires or switch with a volt meter? That's where I would start.

Insta trim is pretty good about thier products. If it is the motor, I'm sure they would work a deal on a new one.

Ya, I have the same suspicions, too...I have not had a chance to look closely at the situation yet. I also have heard good things about the company! :cool:

Baja Daze and 99 Hammer, Thanks. I'll check it out this
weekend.

Mine did the same thing over the 4 th holiday. The problem was the plug at the pump had pulled half way off. The wires that controlled the up function were still conected and the other wires for the down function had slid out. I hope your problem is as simple to fix as this one was.

250,

Thanks...That's promising! I too hope it's a simple little wire or something like that, that will be easy to find and easy to fix! :cool:

FIXED, WooHooooo!!!
 

They're fixed! Working perfectly, no problems.

It was really a stupid problem that took me finally breaking down and contorting myself in ways I didn't know I could(or should) and stumbling across a partially engaged connector.

The up function was making contact, but the down function wasn't engaged. That's all it was, a simple plug unplugged.

:cool:

Re: FIXED, WooHooooo!!!
 

Contorting yourself???!!! Wait till you get that twin engine 30 Outlaw. Then you will know what contorting is really about.:D

Gottahaveit,
Indeed, a great feeling...Just not much of an accomplishment! :D:D:D

29Outlaw,
I tell you what...That's exactly what I was thinking about when I was contemplating 'crawling in'...."Man, this has got to suck in a twin" :D

I just have to figure out how to fix the indicators. I personally want to yank these tabs and install K-Planes. I did it on the last boat. I feel insta-trims are kinda junky for perfromance boats.

I agree, shooter. K-planes are the undesputed best in High-performance trim tabs, but the dual ram insta-trims are really pretty well built. They are strong steel plate and the dual ram units can take a pounding.

Hey Shooter,

I would not yet waste my money on K-planes until you get some seat time in your boat. I have them on my boat and have not used them even once. I don't even know if they work. The 29 Outlaw handles fine as is.