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Cobalt 220s trim switch isn't working

ham s4ndw1ch

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Joined
Aug 20, 2025
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My dad's been working on his boat and hit a snag. He's got a 2017 Cobalt 220s with a Volvo Penta 5.7GL engine and a DP outdrive.

The trim switch isn't working, and he thinks the trim limit switch is the problem.
He's been trying to locate it, and he found a cog at the top of the gimbal housing that a toothed strip on the outdrive turns. He's looked everywhere online, but he can't find anything that looks like this setup.

Has anyone else dealt with this before? Any ideas on where the trim limit switch might be on this model? Any help would be awesome.
 
On that vintage Volvo Penta DP outdrive, the trim limit switch isn't a traditional standalone switch. The part your dad found must be the Trim Position Sensor. It's an optical sensor, and it's what communicates the drive's position to the boat's EVC system.

I think this issue could be the sensor itself, the wiring or even the EVC unit. Have him check the wiring for any obvious corrosion or damage before buying a new one! It's also good to check the connector on the EVC unit to ensure it's clean and secure. These optical sensors are pretty sensitive, and a bit of dirt or a faulty connection can throw them off.

So if the wiring looks good, and the problem persists, he'll likely need a new trim position sensor. They can be a bit pricey, but they're not too difficult to replace! Just be sure to get the correct part number for the 2017 model.

Hope this helps him get back on the water!
 
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