Volvo D3.200 trim gauge wild readings

[Nigbb]

Hi, I have a D3.200 trim gauge that is giving wild reading whilst under way, the trim works fine from fully up to -5 down but both the digital readout and the analogue gauge show all kinds of reading. I am assuming that this is a sender issue, can anyone help please.
Is it inside or outside the hull, where can I find it? Is replacement a big job?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Regards Nigel

 

[Andyroonot]

Hi, I have a D3.200 trim gauge that is giving wild reading whilst under way, the trim works fine from fully up to -5 down but both the digital readout and the analogue gauge show all kinds of reading. I am assuming that this is a sender issue, can anyone help please.
Is it inside or outside the hull, where can I find it? Is replacement a big job?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Regards Nigel

As you’ve mentioned -5 (which is the calibrated position for fully down), can I ask where you are getting that reading from of the gauge isn’t reading correctly? Or does it read -5 when down and only play up when you are moving the trim?

The sensor is on the outside, installed with 2 bolts on the stbd side of the transom shield pivot point. The cable runs through the back of the transom and isn’t the easiest to replace due to the position of the engine…

There is a plug inside the engine bay where the sensor joins to the main harness, and this can be dismantled and reassembled easily enough when changing the sensor

 

[Frederick911]

As mentioned above trim sensor is on the out drive, mine went couple of years ago and engine wouldn’t start as it thought it was in beech mode (200 d3 sxa drive) simple enough to change with boat lifted out.

 

[Corona Mia]

As mentioned above trim sensor is on the out drive, mine went couple of years ago and engine wouldn’t start as it thought it was in beech mode (200 d3 sxa drive) simple enough to change with boat lifted out.

You can try recalibrating the trim gauge (as per the instructions in the Volvo Manual) but usually it won’t work and you will need to replace the sensor. As Andyroonot says, it’s not very accessible.
I’ve also had an engine that refused to start because the ‘trim indicator’…..wrongly…..decided that the outdrive was in the beaching position. (It wasn’t).
If you turn the key into the ‘starter position’ and hold it for 20 seconds or so….,the ECU will eventually allow you to override the command and allow the starter motor to engage.
Don’t worry as the ‘starter motor’ is not working until the ‘Computer says yes’……and also check visually that your outdrive is really down!