Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

Sorry it wasn't as simple as low fluid level.

Insta Trim (Insta-Trim.com) manufactures the system for Boat Leveler Co. now. You can buy directly but the prices seam a little higher than popular boat part suppliers.

Viewed and listened to the video you posted on you tube.

Is your battery in good condition and fully charged ? Low voltage can cause the motor to run but the valves may not open.
After you ran the pump through several cycles did the fluid level in the reservoir change ?

Google search "insta trim boat leveler trim tab troubleshooting" on the first page is a post "Trim tab issues - The Hull Truth"
contained in there is a wire chart by color and function. There are also several tests listed that will get you to the root of your problem.
Hope this helps.

Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

Yes I just replaced both of the batteries with 2 deep cycle marine batteries 2 weeks ago.

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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

Also while I ran it through several cycles the fluid level didn't change. It might have a little bit, but I couldn't tell. Thanks.

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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

Here is he wiring for Boat Leveler (as we last checked).

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

If I am correct on the wiring then 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 test right at the pump and still no go, then the pump is at fault.

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

Here is a link to the Insta Trim / Boat Leveler website, Home - Insta-Trim Boat Levelers I could not find a troubleshooting guide there but confirmed the wiring colors so the troubleshooting should be good. It is worth going over this before turning it over to a mechanic since it is likely an easy problem to isolate and fix.

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

Ok thanks. So the port hydraulic works going down now (on the switch) but it won't come up. with just the bare wires. I bypassed the switch using the system you told me. Is the hydraulic bad? Or a wiring issue buried somewhere

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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

Need to bleed the air out. It should be a self bleeding system like the trim. Run then up and down like 5 times to bleed out the air

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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

I did that.

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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

I think I would hold the switch for a while, or have someone hold the switch, while you exercise the tabs. You may need to do this to bleed the air out of the system. I just hard to believe that both actuators would go bad at the same time, and it sounds like the pump is building pressure.


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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

But that still does not solve the problem of the pump not responding when I touch the 2 wires together. It won't do anything when I simulate "bow up"

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Re: Trim tabs make sound but do nothing.
 

I'd tackle on thing at a time. Get the pump working again, and then work on the switch.


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