Yamaha Gauge- Trim/tilt indicator not working properly

[jpscott1]

I have a 2002 200hp Yamaha HPDI with factory Yamaha gauges. The motor goes all the way down when trimmed down- however the trim gauge indicates the motor is only half way down. Has this happened to anyone else- is there anyway to reset the digital gauge.
Thanks
JPS

[jimfishman]

Likely that this is not a gauge problem. Check the sender. Look under the tilt tube on the motor. Look for a black plastic "finger". It is like a little flipper, and is attached to a black plastic collar that mounts on the tilt/tube.
This is the sender. Sometimes the "finger" breaks. More often the collar mount breaks. When the latter happens the "finger" rotates and the unit gives a false reading. Your Yamaha dealer likely has the unit in stock, and they are not expensive - a few bucks. Easy to install, too.

[kasey]

I had that same problem with an F225. The little finger was the problem, but mine wasn't broken. It just had some growth on it. I cleaned it off and now it works fine.

[Buddy Duck]

I had same problem on my 2002 F225. took the entire unit off. the sender was stuck, corroded. Soaked it in penetrating oil, got it so it would turn again, and according to the old electric meter it works fine. BUT the plastic "finger" that mounts on the sender with one screw, had been reamed out--and the "flat spot" on the ID of the finger (where the finger mounts on the sender with one screw) is gone, reamed out.

On my model, yamaha does not sell the finger ($3 or $4 on some models), but they will sell an entirely new Trim Sending unit for $143. Yippee. ain't boat repair fun.

[rockn n rollin]

same thing happened on 03 f115. the collar has a line up stud that fits in a hole on the tube. your arm is probably cracked and out of alingment or maybe it just needs cleaning like mentioned go back a couple of pages and read the same post on this problem. piss poor design for such a reputable company. arm costs 2 bucks and some change on the f115 model.

[mronzo]

My gauge for my 2000 200OX-66 started doing the same thing last year just before I hauled it out. Is the sender thing similar on my engine?

[fishman 77]

My 2002 200 HPDI trim indicator thingjust broke last weekend. Seems to be a common problem. Luckly that plastic ring with a lever on it is cheap and all the dealers have it.

[danielb]

I had a similiar problem on a older Yammi 250 and was told that the trim sender is part of the "sensor" system that the motor uses to set timing and fuel mixture, if it is not working right you may get a rough running engine and poor gas mileage. Getting it fixed smooth the engine out.

[jimfishman]

I find it very hard to believe that a trim/tilt sender would control motor timing and fuel mixture. This sounds preposterous, but I guess anything is possible (however unlikely). I know that I have had older Yammies all the way back to the C-90.. I can see NO way that the sender had ANYTHING to do with anything else but indicating motor position on the tube. Input from Yammie mechanics, PLEASE!!?

[ChillOutfishing]

My 04 150 has the same problem. The plastic piece is cracked or broken after 165 hrs. I wonder what to expect from this top rated motor? Previously I had a 90 johnson 120HP and in 14 years of ownership never once did the trim indicator act up. The t&t had to be replaced due to rust a few years ago but that is normal for any t&t. I cannot figure out why would Yam uses such a cheap plastic in such a very common usage area and why is there not a re-call on this item since every one seems to have the similar problem.

[amr72]

Guess what? 2002 200 hpdi--same problem. Annoying from an otherwise perfect engine...I havn't got around to fixing it yet, I'll just add it to the list.

[sailfish2660]

Anyone know of the price of this little clamp...mine broke

[Two Extremes]

The part is only a few bucks. You can order it via a number of online sites.

When the tilt indicator is showing the engine in the full up position the remote oil pump in the remote oil tank will not pump oil to the oil reservoir on the engine. It is designed this way to disable the low oil sensor in the on engine oil reservoir when the engine is tilted up so that you don't get a false low reading and overflow your oil reservoir. I know this because once my tilt sensor was stuck in the down position and I had one engine up while trolling with the key on and oil began flowing out the engine cowling and into my transom.

That stupid piece of plastic sender can eventually cause an emergency shutdown / disable an engine once all the oil in the reservoir is gone.

[sailfish2660]

I am assuming that this issue with the oil pump does not apply to 4-strokes. Our guage has been showing the engine in the full up position for the past couple of trips...no engine problem at all.

[dneal]

on my 2000 f100 the plastic thing broke after about 3 years , the new plastic arm was less than 7 bucks

[Hogger]

My 200 130...broke the finger or rather the clamp...you can fix it with a hose clamp...with a slot cut in in it...not much cheaper than the new part but hose clamp will not break again...Hogger