trim tab issues. 2005 sea ray 280 sundancer

I'd suggest caution and hold off on that. The tabs on the 280 run through the port helm switch pad and Aft EIM module. As a result any electrical tests should be conducted with a measure of caution. The only place the wiring color codes for the the tab system will match the instructions for a pure Bennett system are at the connection to the pump. As I recall the wires coming off of the EIM do not match the Bennett colors.
That's a good point. I suppose my Sea Rays were and are older and did not have an EIM. Might someone be able to refer to the wiring diagrams in the owners manual to track down the appropriate wire colors?
 
That's a good point. I suppose my Sea Rays were and are older and did not have an EIM. Might someone be able to refer to the wiring diagrams in the owners manual to track down the appropriate wire colors?

Right on the wiring diagram. The Bennett colors will be on the pigtail to the pump. On ours the wiring harness off the Aft EIM interfaced with the pump using the same plug as supplied by Bennett. EDIT: I searched through my photo archive and SR maintained Bennett’s coloring from the EIM to pump.

I suppose Nelson could tap in there with a momentary jumper switch to test pump function. If the pump works and the offending tab functions the issue is in the switchpad and EIM. Likewise he should be able to get a multimeter on the EIM end of the plug to test the output from that.

One thing no one has discussed is the possibility of a mechanical jamb in either the piston, or the tab itself. Disconnecting the piston from the tab is just two bolts, so testing the swing of the tab is easy.
 
Is this the trim tab pump?
 

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Forget that for now, take that plastic cover off and check for voltage. EIM is near the batteries.
 
You guys are awesome.. update..

Starboard Trim Tabs.. work up and down
Port trim Tab.. works up but will not go down

Starting to think that the problem is in the switch panel..

Thoughts?
 
Probably the solonoid on the pump, probe around with a live 12v + wire, bypass it.
 
It actually the type with a multi button panel that connects to an EIM.. unfortunately.. the panel is super hard to find and expensive.. ;(
 
All those things send the voltage to the motor. that's why you want to hot wire it to see where the problem is.
 
Watch this video.
This gives a good description of the trim tab system and should help you identify the problem.
If you tested the system like the video shows and everything works properly, your issue isn’t with the solenoids or motor.

If you tested the system like the video shows and something doesn’t work properly, then your problem is somewhere within the pump assembly or a poor ground connection.

Can you clarify which of the above you experienced?
 
And FYI the port side switch moves the starboard side trim tab and vice-versa.
 
The solenoid seems to be working. If it was solenoid would it only work in one direction?

@IRDaleBracey
The pistons aren’t really pistons where motion in both directions is fluid driven. It’s more like a spring loaded diaphragm system. Fluid flows into the top and exerts pressure on the diaphragm as the volume builds. The diaphragm is under spring pressure holding it in the retracted position. As the fluid pressure exceeds the spring pressure the piston extends. So retracting the piston after it is extended is simply a matter of allowing the fluid to flow back into the reservoir.
 
Thanks for the mention @Nelco
Yes, this is using the serial signal panel with EMI.
One side works up and down.
Other side only works in one direction.
Based on the fact that direction is affected by motor polarity and not valves, we know the motor signals are good, since it uses the same two wires for motor control for both sides.
Solenoid actuation is good for both buttons on one side, but the down(up) botton on the other works but up(down) button does not. Again, since the same wire is used for "up and down" to open the solenoid, we can rule out wire signal from EIM to solenoid issue, yes?
This leaves me to believe the pad buttons within the helm pod are collapsed/failed. Here is why.
Top left button (motor turns, solenoid clicks, trim moves.)
Bottom left button (motor turns, solenoid clicks, trim moves.)
Top right button (no motor, no solenoid click, no move)
Bottom right button requires VERY HARD press and only when moving finger over a certain area (intermittent motor, intermittent solenoid click, intermittent move)

Had the top button done anything at all (motor or click) and not been so hard to press, I would assume something downline. Had the lower button not been so hard to press, I would assume something downline.
The combination of those factors tends to lead me to believe the pad buttons are bad internally. They are surface mounted membrane switches with flex domes.
 
Right on the wiring diagram. The Bennett colors will be on the pigtail to the pump. On ours the wiring harness off the Aft EIM interfaced with the pump using the same plug as supplied by Bennett. EDIT: I searched through my photo archive and SR maintained Bennett’s coloring from the EIM to pump.

I suppose Nelson could tap in there with a momentary jumper switch to test pump function. If the pump works and the offending tab functions the issue is in the switchpad and EIM. Likewise he should be able to get a multimeter on the EIM end of the plug to test the output from that.

One thing no one has discussed is the possibility of a mechanical jamb in either the piston, or the tab itself. Disconnecting the piston from the tab is just two bolts, so testing the swing of the tab is easy.
@Henry Boyd thank you so much, though...
See my outline above.
I could see a jam being an issue, but the pump does not energize nor solenoid when pressing the upper right button. However, lower right, wbile hard to press, energized motor and solenoid. This is less a matter of trim not moving and more a matter of that direction doing nothing at all.
 
Where did he say the button is hard to press? So with that theory he should be able to get the tab working properly by hot wiring like the video shows.
 

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