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I have a 2001 Horizon 180 with a 5.0 Volvo Penta. The outdrive will not lower, but it will raise. Also, the trim position indicator is starting to act up. What would cause these and is it hard to fix? Also, where would I find more detailed information on engine components and repair?
Thanks!

First thing to check is that the 2 relays are securely in their sockets; take out, check for corrosion and put back. ( they are on the trim pump bracket, along with a fuse. As the trim works one way, it's not that fuse). One relay controls "up", the other controls "down". If that doesn't help, then swap them over to seee if the problem switches over. If so, then it's a faulty relay.

If not then it would seem like the "down" relay is not getting a +12V supply from the switch on the shifter. Either a problem at the shifter/ switch or somewhere along it' way to the relay.

The trim gauge issue is almost certainly caused by the sender beginning to fail; they don't last very long if continuously immersed like the one on my boat is). It's the ca 2-1/2" disc that's bolted ( 2 bolts) to the gimbal ring on the starboard side, The cable harness can be a pain to get through the transom shield ( depends on access, it's held in place by cable ties and a little clip on the sealing plug on the inside of the shield). I did one the "proper" way, but since I've found found it easier to cut the cable of the old sender and splice the new onto the old cable, (using adhesive lined heat shrink crimp connectors, plus adhesive lined heat shrink tube over those; completely waterproof)
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Graham

I have a very similar issue with the exact same boat. For me, it is the relays. The relays are the two black (1 inch squared) boxes on the left side of the trim motor. You can pull them straight up and out just like you would a plug into a wall outlet. I replaced my relays at one point with relays I bought at Auto Zone, but realized this wasn't the issue. If I squeezed, tapped, or "Fonzi-ed" the relay while someone was holding the button, it would work. Ultimately, I discovered that the female side of the relay connection was too loose to keep contact with the relay. That being the case, I used a small screw driver to push them tighter. I just did this last Friday and the trim worked all weekend. I hope it continues to work over the holiday weekend. You could also try to clean the contacts on the relays which I did by spraying them with WD40.

My trim indicator also does not work. Mine is because the wire is cut on the sending unit (which is located on the right side of the out-drive), but yours could be the result of the dreaded VDO cluster (if you have it). Search for VDO cluster and you will find plenty of threads about that.

Good luck and let me know if you have any further questions.

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2001 Four Winns 180 Horizon
4.3L Volvo Penta

Seems like I might have the same fix soon the trim indicator on my 220SS also doesn't show completely up or completely down. Joe from Miami

my trim indicator just reads up, all the time.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Thanks for the help. It was a bad relay, so I replaced them both and kept the one working relay as a spare. I'll look into the trim indicator issue soon.