Trim won't go down

waterbaby · **Joined:** Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:56 pm **Posts:** 4

We have a 2009 H180 with a 3.0 GL engine. The last time we were out everything was working fine, go out a couple of days later and the trim won't go down. The relays click but nothing happens. We switched the relays but still nothing. I read in a couple different posts that there is a "red button" (a reset I'm guessing) in the engine compartment that seems to have fixed this same issue with others but they all had a different sized engine that we do. We searched yesterday for this red "button" but can't seem to find it anywhere. If we can find a simple solution to this, it would be better and quicker than having to get a trim motor shipped to us. Any help at all would be appreciated, thanks!

JDW250 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:32 pm

Does the motor make noise when you push the up button?

waterbaby · **Joined:** Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:56 pm **Posts:** 4

I don't think so, it just makes a click

DaleG · **Posted:** Fri Aug 08, 2014 11:18 am

If you hear a click it says the switch in the handle is working and power is getting to the trim relay.
If you can hear the trim pump motor in the either direction it is probably not that.
You can tell if it is bad relay by swapping the relays (there are two -- one for up one for down)
((assuming your trim system is similar to mine - which I believe it to be.))

I recently went through a similar situation and it was either the contacts on the relay, or at the pump.
I am in salt water which is a constant hastle for electrical connections.
I used a contact cleaner and sprayed the contacts at the pump. I cleaned the contacts on the relay and replaced it and the problem went away.

thx

EvilZ · **Posted:** Fri Aug 08, 2014 11:31 am

I have had several successful "cures" for this in the past:

1) Whack the pump motor (assuming it is in the engine compartment and not built into the outdrive) with a hammer or other solid object - sometimes the motor binds up and this may persuade it to run free again (and if not, it helps to vent some frustration

).
2) Check the wiring connections - on my pump the wires are spliced about 6" from the motor. Last time all I had to do was flex the wires at the splice to get it all working again. Now I need to go back in and clean up those connections under the sealed tubing...

ric · **Posted:** Fri Aug 08, 2014 11:36 am

2009 is the Volvo SX-A with the outboard trim motor bolted to the outside of the transom. My 2009 Stingray had the same problem as described here that I resolved under warranty.

Make sure you're sitting down. Grab a beer or 2 first.

This is the part where I cringe to type what I'm going to type next. I REALLY hope your Volvo Penta warranty is still active. In the early years of the SX-A outdrive Volvo used faulty gaskets on the trim motor. It caused water to leak in the trim pump and eventually destroy it. Volvo recently redesigned the unit to solve this problem, but it was never officially recalled. Visit Volvo's website or call Volvo and ask for your nearest authorized repair center. Bring the boat to them. If your warranty is active it's only a $35 deductible. If your warranty is expired, you are now at the mercy of the Volvo Gods. You will have to have the shop diagnose the issue to make sure it's the trim pump that got wet (it will be corroded inside) and have them call Corporate. Nobody else. Not the local service manager, no Bob that owns the store. Volvo Corporate. If the gods are feeling generous that day, SOMETIMES they will replace the unit AT THEIR DISCRETION but you will still have to pay for the labor. If the gods are angry that day, you will have to pay to replace the unit at full cost plus labor. To replace the SX-A trim motor at full cost with labor it's right around $1250. To do it yourself, it's around $900 and requires some special tools. If Volvo replaces it, you're still looking at 3 hours of labor ($400ish).

The SX-A also has other issues that will occur during your ownership. It has a plastic hose nipple for the water pickup that breaks when you raise/lower the drive and the engine will overheat. I had to make a special tool to remove/replace it, otherwise the official course of action is to remove the out drive. Several factors in owning an SX-A powered boat eventually drove me to sell it and own something powered by a Mercruiser before the warranty expired.

Call the warranty department and check if you're eligible for the extended warranty. Even though I sold my boat last year, they recently mailed me extension paperwork for another 2 years (7 years total warranty). I would buy that if I were you. I think it's around $1000, but totally worth it when owning a Volvo SX-A.

waterbaby · **Joined:** Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:56 pm **Posts:** 4

Thanks Ric...that sounds exactly like what we were told the other day also

It is an SX-A drive and we've spent numerous hours now trying to resolve the problem with no luck. The warranty has expired also. Now we are looking at starting our holidays either without a boat to use or getting a new one. We really love this one and I hate to have to part with it but a boat sitting in the yard is of no use either!

ric · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:39 pm

you don't buy a new boat over $1200. You gotta fix yours to sell it anyways LOL

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Ric, wasn't one of those factors because you complained the stingray POS you bought rolled in the water like a canoe and it couldn't haul over two people without riding like a saddle bronc?

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Ric...following are some recent post you made concerning Volvo systems???? Hmmmmmm. Your opinion changes like the direction of a weather vane!

1.
Before I bought my Chaparral I almost purchased a 1998 258 Vista that was repowered with a 8.1gi dual prop. IT WAS f***ing AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Power for days!!!!!!!! I really wish I bought it, but at the time I had nowhere to put it. Easy math. Look at the 2005 268 Vista. 8.1 = 30mph..

2.
There's plenty of go-fast guys putting over 450hp to alpha one's reliably, you just can't punch it full throttle out of the hole and run a good drive shower.
VP SX drive? Throw 500hp at it, it's okay.

3.
There's nothing wrong with a 248 Vista powered by a 5.7GXi DP. She will haul some booty!

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

A few more Ric posts on Volvo that he now hates...because he now has a merc....hmmmmm

1.
... and correct fuel injection system with oxygen sensors and such. Of course, if you're buying a new boat in 2014 the only engine worth buying is the Volvo....

2.
... and manifolds/risers every 4-5 years and you should not have problems I personally won't own a boat with an Alpha for that very reason. Bravo or Volvo Penta only for me...

What gives?

ric · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:20 pm

I hate the SX-A, not SX-M

waterbaby · **Joined:** Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:56 pm **Posts:** 4

Thanks everyone for your ideas, we tossed around the idea of trading this in but decided to go for a repair instead. Should be ready to go for the weekend and holidays are just starting!

www.iFourWinns.com

Trim won't go down

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