Trim Tabs Unresponsive

[Raptor1472]

Hi all,

Relatively new ‘95 Sailfish 272 owner, have never used trim tabs before so not exactly sure what to be looking for.

With all electric on and engines off, there is no movement or sound correlated with the tabs when pressing the switches at the helm, in either direction.

Trying to figure out if it’s electrical, hydraulic or both. I’ve had to clean connections for other switches at the helm, but not seeing a clear way to open the switchboard for these in particular, so trying to get pointed in the right direction before ripping into anything.

There also seems to be a small leak on the port side actuator, so not sure if that would impact it to that level, especially since I’d imagine I’d hear an electric whine even if fluid wasn’t flowing.

They’re Bennett’s so I’m not sure what idiosyncrasies they have. Appreciate the help in advance!

 

[seasick]

if there is a fluid leak, they are hydraulic.
I guess the first thing to check is if there is power at the switch at the helm. You should be able to unscrew the switch and pop it out a bit to get to the connectors on the back (assuming a standard, non indication switch (no trim level lights).
More often than not, the problem is a bad/corroded connection at the hydraulic pump controller aft. It can be hard to get to but that is where I would look first. There may be afuse at the main fuse block but to test you may need to trace the wiring to see which one it is. Of course it wouldn't hurt to check all fuses as well as the fuse sockets for issues.

 

[DennisG01]

Bennett systems are typically one of the most reliable systems ever created for a boat, going decades without even giving them a second thought. Of course, your boat is now 3 decades old, so......

You didn't happen to press up on one switch and down on the other at the same time, did you? If so, you would have blown the fuse.

Regardless, check the fuse and fluid level. Other things...

-- check for power at the pump with a switch pressed
-- check for power at both sides of the switch

 

[B-Shell]

Bennett systems are typically one of the most reliable systems ever created for a boat, going decades without even giving them a second thought. Of course, your boat is now 3 decades old, so......

You didn't happen to press up on one switch and down on the other at the same time, did you? If so, you would have blown the fuse.

Regardless, check the fuse and fluid level. Other things...

-- check for power at the pump with a switch pressed
-- check for power at both sides of the switch

What these guys said is good advice. YouTube is your friend. If you have power at the switch then find the pump and supply it with 12v directly and confirm proper operation. Leaking fluid will not cause the pump to not run. It should make noise. Sounds like an electronic issue. IF the pump motor is locked up then that may pop fuses and appear to electrical. That is why I suggest putting power straight to the motor to confirm it actually works.

 

[Dr Dan]

Bennett systems are typically one of the most reliable systems ever created for a boat, going decades without even giving them a second thought. Of course, your boat is now 3 decades old, so......

You didn't happen to press up on one switch and down on the other at the same time, did you? If so, you would have blown the fuse.

Regardless, check the fuse and fluid level. Other things...

-- check for power at the pump with a switch pressed
-- check for power at both sides of the switch

I have a 2020 GW Express.. Lights are on You hear motor as you hit up. NO NOISE AND NO MOVEMENT DOWN>. Im thinking put transmission fluid in reservoir??? BUT. ANYONE KNOW WHERE IT IS??? NOT in the Starboard Aft Access with holding tank?? Thanks for your help. Dan

 

[B-Shell]

I have a 2020 GW Express.. Lights are on You hear motor as you hit up. NO NOISE AND NO MOVEMENT DOWN>. Im thinking put transmission fluid in reservoir??? BUT. ANYONE KNOW WHERE IT IS??? NOT in the Starboard Aft Access with holding tank?? Thanks for your help. Dan

Look under your console. By the helm

 

[seasick]

Look under your console. By the helm

You said lights and noise when pressing up. If so there is fluid in the reservoir. Even if there weren't, you would hear the motor run.
You may have a bad switch or a bad even a bad control box if there is one (depends on tab features).
Did you press down for both tabs with no result?.
First place to look is usually the connections at the pump. There are two solenoids at the pump, marker red and green for stbd and port .
If a solenoid is bad the tab wont move but I think the motor would still run but I am not sure about that.
You could have a bad switch at the helm but it is not common for both sides of the switch to go bad at the same time. Your problem is most likely aft near the tabs