Odd trim sender switch problem

[DennisG01]

I won't be at the boat until sometime in June (I'm in PA, the boat is in ME), but I was curious if anyone had any thoughts on this...

The trim level indicator LCD bars (on the Yamaha dash gauge) do not function in regards to the engine physically moving. The gauge will read full bars (up) with the top bar continually blinking, regardless of engine position.

Thinking that the problem was simply the lever/switch that is mounted on the engine bracket, I tried moving the lever by hand, in an attempt to start to verify things, and the gauge started working! In fact, the gauge reads perfectly fine if I manually move the lever. But when the engine moves the lever (and I physically watched the engine move the lever - thinking that maybe the engine wasn't touching/moving the lever) the dash gauge does not respond (stays full up with top bar blinking).

I did this little dance numerous times and it's always the same - using my finger to move the switch/lever will result in normal dash gauge response. Letting the engine do it... it acts as if the lever isn't moving.

I'm completely dumbfounded by that and don't understand... what am I missing?

[Pbailey15]

Check the "stop" that moves the lever when trimmed. Mine broke and I have the same issue. Looks like the stop is in place, but it's broken. It's a plastic strap that wraps the motor pivot and has a pin that holds it in place on the shaft.

The stop I'm referencing is item 4 in the diagram. Not sure what model you have. This is for a F90.

http://www.yamahaonlineparts.com/pag...TLRD_-_2005%29

[DennisG01]

Thanks, Bailey, but it looks like yours is different than mine (engine is in signature). On mine, the lever is moved directly by the engine tilting up and down (if I remember correctly). But the engine DOES physically move the lever arm, just as if I did it manually.

[99yam40]

maybe you need to have a look again to be sure

[DennisG01]

The trim sender on his 90 looks like it might be the same as mine, but I don't have that "cam/stop" piece. The lever is moved by a solid, metal piece of the bracket. But just to be sure, I'll check later on tonight - I have a spare 250HP in my garage here in PA.

I can certainly look again, but I remember looking right at the lever as the engine came down and the bracket contacted the trim sender lever and moved it. I'm really stumped on this one.

[DennisG01]

I could have sworn I posted back on this, but it looks like I didn't!

So, I've now physically watched the engine move the cam lever on multiple occasions and can verify that the engine does, indeed, mover the lever. Whenever the engine moves the lever, the LCD bars on the gauge will not register. Yet, if I move it by hand, the bars will read perfectly.

Does it sound like I'm losing my mind? I totally don't understand this.

[fairdeal]

your story does seem somewhat - implausible?

I can think of only two explanations

1. I know you've said you "watched it move" via the engine
but - are you sure the little projecting "follower" is there?
I imagine it could get broken off....

screen capture tool

2. Is the entire arm "wobbly" ?
Its very far-fetched, but if the rotating shaft were so badly worn or broken the internal wiper could make contact when you move it by hand, but pull away when moved by the motor?

Yeah, its a crazy problem...


Since I'm posting videos today, here's a working F225 trim sender

https://vid.me/uOZG

[DennisG01]

Yes - positive the follower is there. It looks just like yours does in the picture and the video.

That's a good thought about it being wobbly. I don't recall noticing anything out of the ordinary, but maybe from my angle it was doing just as you were thinking and, in essence, leveraging it to make the contact better. At least that makes sense! I'll be at the boat again in a week or two and will check on that. Thanks!

I can't think of anything else it could be!

[zenoahphobic]

I think it becomes obvious that the trim sender is faulty. As implied above moving the thing by hand applies different forces than the "one dimensional" connection with the engine.
My bet is that it is loose and connections internally are marginal enough to be disconnected when engine presses on it.

[DennisG01]

This is one of those things that, in the end, doesn't really matter as I don't specifically need the trim gauge - but it's bugging the heck out of me as to WHY. You know?

Heck, if I want to physically see where the engine is I can simply turn my head. But as most of you know, you really don't drive based on a certain trim position. It's primarily "seat of the pants" because there's just too many variables to say that one position works best.

[zenoahphobic]

Could there be strain on the trim sender wires causing disconnection, when the engine is in the more down position, presuming when you hand move it you have somewhat trimmed it up?
If not obvious take the thing and wires completely out and inspect it that way. If finances permit replace it.

[DennisG01]

Not a bad idea, either. Maybe I'll get lucky and something will be loose, or something like that. I suppose I could ohm it, too? I don't know what the resistance range/spec is, but I guess I'm primarily looking for a smooth change in resistance as I move the lever?

[dubber]

Since you describe a Yamaha LCD gauge check the dip switch settings on it - it needs to be setup for your motor / leads from sender etc. As well to function properly. Did it used to work?

[zenoahphobic]

Since you describe a Yamaha LCD gauge check the dip switch settings on it - it needs to be setup for your motor / leads from sender etc. As well to function properly. Did it used to work?

Sorry.... drrrrr. Read, it works by hand moving the sender lever.

Just another thought, you showed it with engine up on tilt pin. Moving it by hand did it show full up, as there would be no difference (lever away from engine)? Suspect you were not able to duplicate the expected readings precisely. Can you lower the engine into a range we you expect a meaningful reading, and then insert your hand or tool and then move the lever? Does it then magically read? I suspect not, as I think your engine position has something to do with this problem, and therefore as mentioned above, the wiring may be moving, be damaged in the down operating position maybe returning to proper contact in the fully up position.

[dubber]

Sorry.... drrrrr. Read, it works by hand moving the sender lever.

Just another thought, you showed it with engine up on tilt pin. Moving it by hand did it show full up, as there would be no difference (lever away from engine)? Suspect you were not able to duplicate the expected readings precisely. Can you lower the engine into a range we you expect a meaningful reading, and then insert your hand or tool and then move the lever? Does it then magically read? I suspect not, as I think your engine position has something to do with this problem, and therefore as mentioned above, the wiring may be moving, be damaged in the down operating position maybe returning to proper contact in the fully up position.

My bad - I misread that.