On vacation last week, the last time out, the up switch on my trim stopped working. The down and trailer buttons still worked fine, so using those I still had a good day.

Today, I decided I'd better look into fixing it. A short search here on BABC revealed a couple of threads about it, and they led me to the trim limit sender. Sure enough, one of the wires on the sender was torn off.

Well, they only sell the sender in a pair with the sender for the trim gauge, and it's about 100.00. You can't really run the new wires on the new sender without tearing apart the engine and outdrive, and that's not going to happen. I figured I could solder, liquid electric tape and shrink wrap the connection to the old wires, which the parts guy confirmed for me is how most folks do it.

Upon further inspection, I thought maybe I could just solder the wire back on to the stub of wire still on the sender, and seal everything up from there. Turns out, I could, and all works again! I neglected to take careful enough note of the position the sensor was installed in, and it took some trial and error to get it on right, but I got it.

Just thought I'd share, and thank anyone who might have been involved in the threads I referenced in my search. I love this place!

Glad you were able to get it fixed. If you decide you want a pair and you have a volvo, give me the number and I'll see if I have one. If I do, I can make a good deal.

for what it's worth . . .

I replaced the senders on the Mercruiser outdrive without taking things apart. It is not easy and a few 'long reach' tools are needed, but it can be done.

your fix may not last that long. It all depends on how much wire you had to work with when soldering.

Sierra has a set for the merc's that is about $65 - $80, if my memory serves me.

Sometimes I wonder what Merc/Volvo were thinking when they designed and manufactured some of this stuff. The plastic trim resovoir that eventually cracks, is one of those things...

At least you are in fresh water -- you don't even really want to think about maintaining trim limit switches in salt water -- I have done what you did -- and lots more -- to mercruiser trim limit switches -- now that I have a Volvo it is either all or nothing -- you cannot really get inside to repair them like a mercruiser -- but they also seem more reliable.