New to the forum and boating. Both port and starboard trims tabs aren't working. I hear the motor making noise but the tabs dont move up or down.. Where should I start to look
2000, 232, grady white gulfstream trim tabs not working
- Thread starter Hammertime
- Start date
What trim tabs do you have? If Bennett, sounds like your actuators (solenoid valves) aren't working or getting proper voltage. Pump will run but you'll get no oil to your trim pistons.
Denko
GreatGrady Captain
if bennett, go to the site and follow the troubleshooting steps. it will determine if it is the switch that is bad. good luck, ron
Probably Bennett,
Here is a link to our video page http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/tech-help/video-library/ at the bottom of it are all of our troubleshooting videos.
Here is a link to the motor making noise and no tab movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd2RjZ63tTI
Below you will find troubleshooting you can print and take to the boat.
Let us know what you find.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Fluid: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) any type. Hydraulic Power Unit is self bleeding, running the Trim Tabs up and down 3-4 times will purge air from the system.
Fuse: 12 volt system use 20 amp in-line fuse on positive. (24v & 32v use proportionately smaller)
Red= Port Valve
Green= Starboard Valve
Blue=Motor Forward (pump pressure)
Yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract)
Black on HPU=Ground
Orange on Helm=Control Positive
Troubleshooting
1.If one side is not operating reverse hydraulic lines on the front of the Hydraulic Power Unit to determine if the malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic lines. If after reversing the lines symptom shifts to the other side the malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic lines
2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running.
3. Conduct the following test:
Remove the wires from the helm control and touch together as follows:
Operation=Reaction
Orange (+), blue, red= Port trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, green=Starboard trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, red, green= Both trim tabs down
Orange (+), yellow, red= Port trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, green=Starboard trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, red, 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 substituting a "hot lead" for orange. 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.
4. If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.
5. If you conclude the problem is in the pump, contact me. Bennett Trim Tab Systems carry a five year warranty.
6. Check to see if there is a relay in line on the wiring harness near the hydraulic power unit. If there is it is an Interrupter Relay (IR1000). It prevents the system fuse from blowing if you try to actuate one trim tab up and the other down at the same time. After you test as outlined above, try removing the relay from the wiring harness and retest the unit.(Note: the interrupter relay is no longer used in current Bennett Trim Tab systems and has been replaced with a Switches that "lock out" preventing a blown fuse).
Here is a link to our video page http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/tech-help/video-library/ at the bottom of it are all of our troubleshooting videos.
Here is a link to the motor making noise and no tab movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd2RjZ63tTI
Below you will find troubleshooting you can print and take to the boat.
Let us know what you find.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Fluid: Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) any type. Hydraulic Power Unit is self bleeding, running the Trim Tabs up and down 3-4 times will purge air from the system.
Fuse: 12 volt system use 20 amp in-line fuse on positive. (24v & 32v use proportionately smaller)
Red= Port Valve
Green= Starboard Valve
Blue=Motor Forward (pump pressure)
Yellow= Motor Reverse (pump retract)
Black on HPU=Ground
Orange on Helm=Control Positive
Troubleshooting
1.If one side is not operating reverse hydraulic lines on the front of the Hydraulic Power Unit to determine if the malfunction is in HPU or actuator / hydraulic lines. If after reversing the lines symptom shifts to the other side the malfunction may exist in HPU. If the symptom remains on the same side, malfunction may exist with the actuator / hydraulic lines
2. Is the unit receiving a solid 12 volts? Low voltage will some times cause the solenoids to not open preventing the tabs from moving even though the pump motor is running.
3. Conduct the following test:
Remove the wires from the helm control and touch together as follows:
Operation=Reaction
Orange (+), blue, red= Port trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, green=Starboard trim tab down
Orange (+), blue, red, green= Both trim tabs down
Orange (+), yellow, red= Port trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, green=Starboard trim tab up
Orange (+), yellow, red, 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 substituting a "hot lead" for orange. 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.
4. If you suspect corrosion on the wire connector near the pump, cut it out, test as above and reconnect using butt splices.
5. If you conclude the problem is in the pump, contact me. Bennett Trim Tab Systems carry a five year warranty.
6. Check to see if there is a relay in line on the wiring harness near the hydraulic power unit. If there is it is an Interrupter Relay (IR1000). It prevents the system fuse from blowing if you try to actuate one trim tab up and the other down at the same time. After you test as outlined above, try removing the relay from the wiring harness and retest the unit.(Note: the interrupter relay is no longer used in current Bennett Trim Tab systems and has been replaced with a Switches that "lock out" preventing a blown fuse).
Denko
GreatGrady Captain
This is the kind of customer service that more companies could use a lesson in :goodjobElyseM said:
Tabman said:
Thank you Tabman. I have a lot of work ahead of me. When I find the problem, I will post it on this thread..
I just got around to checking the trim tabs issue and found that there was absolutely no fluid in the Bennett canister. I added transmission fluid and the tabs work fine. Question now is , why was there no fluid in the canister? I'll have to keep an eye on the level to see where the leak is. There are no signs of oil around the pump or pump fittings where the lines go into the pump. I'll have to check the fittings around the Actuators ...