Trim sensors not working - older Hondas

C-Worthy

Anybody had this problem? My trim sensor/indicators aren't working on either motor on my '95 Honda BF45s.

They were having problems reading last season intermittantly and totally stopped working this Spring on the water.

Anybody know what to poke at?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Blain

Brooks Cooper · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:45 pm Post subject:

I had that problem with my 90 hp once. a little wd40 spray on the black lever looking thing by the power tilt ram cleared it up. It was just a little sticky.

C-Worthy · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:03 pm Post subject: Sticky

I'll look for it this weekend. Many thanks Brooks.

By the way, did anyone tell you you should be a movie star with that kind of name? Wink

therevdr · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:57 am Post subject:

REVISITING THE TRIM SENSOR ISSUE (since NOT FOR HIRE mentioned it as he described his fabulous Northern Lake Michigan trip)....my starboard trim sensor went out a couple of weeks ago. From the wiring diagram in the owners' manual, indications are that its either the light green or light blue wire....I don't really know what that means or exactly where I am looking for these wires!!??
I don't know if it is coincidence or not, but yesterday my starboard engine hours meter stopped registering hours (it seemed to register .1 during a 7.3 hour operation).
Any suggestions??
therevdr on DRIFTWOOD DREI

C-batical · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:23 am Post subject:

C-Worthy & Driftwood Drei

I had trim angle sensors fail on both 2004, 40 hp, engines within the first 50 hours of operation. The plastic tab that rides along the transom bracket broke on both sensors. It was a simple job to replace, however, a very time consuming task to obtain replacement parts. My sensors have three wires a light green/black, yellow/blue, and black. They run from the sensor through the engine under case assembly and plug into the ignition control module (ICM) on the port side of the engine. The cover for this the ICM is attached by four screws. Honda told me that reliability of these sensors was not a problem, however, there were no parts available in the US and it took almost three months to get replacements. There are slight differeces in design of the sensor and color of the wires depending on the year of the motor. Regarding the engine hour meter, if you already have not done it, a suggestion would be to check that the wires on back of the meter are tight. These meters are usually not prone to failure.

Best regards,
Rollie/C-Batical

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:07 am Post subject:

For all, I've got a BF 35/45 Shop manual that has all the diagrams/service info in it. If anyone wants a part of it, I'd be glad to xerox it and ship it to you. Matter of fact, I've already got the power tilt/trim scanned for another project, I'll post it on the documents page.

Well, that didn't work, it's a .tif file and that extension isn't allowed. If anyone wants it I can e-mail it or send a hard copy via snail mail.

Let me know...

Charlie

C-batical · Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

Charlie:

Super idea to save to the Document Section. I have included scanned copies of the trim fix pages from the Honda Repair Manual to the CB Tech Library, Electrical and Wiring folder. They are included as jpeg files.

Best regards,
Rollie C-Batical

therevdr · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject:

I knew someone would be on top of this!! (Or it might be at the "bottom" of this...until I get the trim indicator i don't know up from down!!).
Bruce (therevdr on DRIFTWOOD DREI)

Dora~Jean · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:01 pm Post subject:

Not exactly the right forum, but my sensors have both failed on my Yami's. Actually just the sensor holder brackets have failed, one cracked, the other just slipped recently after about 3 1/2 yrs. Poor attachment design in my opinion. But I've found 'my' boat runs most efficient with the motors all the way down anyway, so really no need for them, I just do a visual while lowering. I'm going to replace the gauges with head or oil temperature gauges, will be more useful even though the idiot lights and alarms tell you when you're overheating due to seaweed or a plastic bag.

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

Just sent Blain a PM on this but I've still got Bill and El's old BF40 engine with the blown power head. The only things removed so far are the lower unit (for my engine with the cracked housing) and the carbs and intake manifold( for someone in AK). The rest of the engine except for block of course is intact and ready to have parts removed. Starter, alternator, trim system, contro module, etc which I will take off and ship to anyone for the price of shipping alone. Let me know...

Charlie

computer-rooter · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:45 pm Post subject:

I've just repowered and rerigged my boat. I plumbed in all new gauges to go along with the motor (2002 honda bf90a). My trim sensor works, but it's funky. My nominal trim shows a little lower than halfway between the gauge's "level" indicator and the bottom of the gauge. If I was to put the needle on the level indicator, the bow would be impossibly high. With the needle almost to the bottom, I'm trimmed for heavy weather @ 12knots. I don't feel nose-heavy steering and yawing till the needle is buried low. I looked back there under the transom mount stuff and the plastic lever seems to be intact and moving freely. The honda 90 is set in the lowest hole for that transom angle adjustment rod. It seems if I was to move the rod to an upper hole, the problem would be worse. Anyone know if there is any way to adjust it? does it indicate a mounting or other problem? I'm new to the honda. I don't know anything.

I have a question about my tach, too, but I'll put it in another thread.