Trim Tabs Not working.
 

My trim tabs stopped working over the weekend. Im getting power to and from the switch. I think the pump may be locked up??? Is this a common problem or not likely.

I had a similar problem with my tabs. Each tab on my set up goes direct to a battery and is fused. Although I had voltage, it couldn't handle any current. It turns out that inside the fuse holder was corrosion. When I tried to activate the tab, nothing happened sometimes just a click. I thought the pump motor was bad. Glad I didn't jump the gun and buy a new motor. I just replaced the fuse holders. This happened on both tabs 2 weeks apart from each other. Each tab went to a separate battery with a separate fuse.

May not be the same, but it's worth a look. And cheap to fix.

Ray

thanks. ill check it out

Make sure the batteries are fully charged

Thay are charged enough to start the engine.

My trim tabs stopped working and the boat still started. I called insta trim, the manufactor and they told me to make sure the batteries were fully charged. After I put a charger on them the tabs started working fine.

Thanks ill try that too.

Josh,

Do you know what brand your Trim tabs are? Let me know, and I can help, even if they are not Bennett.

Tom McGow
Bennett marine

idk? Thay are the stock ones that came on it. The unit inside the engine compartment is red?? lol.

A red pump usually is a Boat Leveler system. Does it look like this?

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...ow/2269412.jpg

Here is a link to their website http://www.insta-trim.com/

I can't find any troubleshooting on their site.

The Boat Leveler system is pretty easy to troubleshoot. I put together this troubleshooting based on how the system works. If you hear the pump running but the Trim Tabs are not moving, check to see that the system is getting good power as low voltage can cause the motor to run but the valves may not open. Clean the connections and pay particular attention to both ends of the ground wire at the pump. Then do the test below.

Here is the wiring for Boat Leveler.

green=Port Valve
white= Starboard Valve
red=Motor Forward (pump pressure)
yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract)
black on HPU=Ground
red on Helm=Control Positive

http://www.insta-trim.com/images/wire2.jpg

http://www.insta-trim.com/images/wire1.jpg

Here is how you can test it.

Remove the wires from the helm control and touch together as follows:

Operation=Reaction
(+), Red, Green=Port trim tab down
(+), Red, White=Starboard trim tab down
(+), Red, Green, White=both trim tabs down
(+), Yellow, Green=Port trim tab up
(+), Yellow, White=Starboard trim tab up
(+), Yellow, White, 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 using a hot lead. 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.

If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.

Make sure to check both ends of the black ground wire at the pump for corrosion.

I hope this is helpful,
Tom
Bennett Marine