VP 8.1 GXI Trim Tilt

[Canterbury]

Hi Everyone,

Hoping that someone can assist me in locating where I need to install the wiring for a remote Trim Tilt switch. This is an 08 VP 8.1 GXI with the DPS outdrive, so maybe BBP has seen this before. Searched all over the place but most of the info says "hook the switch up." Where is the question.

Was having issues with the switch on the throttle handle as mentioned before. Couldnt locate a replacement switch for that so I purchased the remote switch to use in its place. I am figuring that the new switch needs to connect somewhere on the pump but dam if I can locate where this is located. The connector is round, and quite short, and all the connectors with red/blue/green wiring I see are all flat rectangles.

Engine Overview

VP 8.1 Overview Pic.jpg

Connectors

VP 8.1 Trim Tilt Connectors small.jpg

Where wires exit to outdrive

VP 8.1 Wiring Out to Drive small.jpg

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Canterbury]

Even when BBP isnt replying, he is still helping. Was just on the General Boating thread about oil changes that started back in 2021 and BBP had posted pictures of his 190 that showed where the Tilt pump assembly was located. In my 220, the previous owner had placed multi packs of life jackets on the sides toward the rear as shown in my photo above. I had never needed them nor moved them so I will HOPEFULLY find the pump assembly hidden beneath/behind these and call it a day.

Thanks BBP's 190

BBP 190 Engine Tilt picture from post.jpg

[Canterbury]

The tilt pump was NOT in the far reaches of the engine compartment. appears that on my DPS-A, the pump is external inside the drive housing. There are only the wires and connectors that are inside the compartment.

Now that I have determined this setup, the round connector on the VP remote switch I purchased will not connect to the flat connectors on my system. Time to direct wire the switch vs returning but which color wires go to which connector wires. Tilt wires are usually Blue (sky = up), Green (grass = down) and Red (power). These colors are not the case with the VP switch - 3855650.

VP Trim Switch Connector wiring sm.jpg

With the cost of this pump, I would rather make the proper connections the first time vs relying upon a fuse to save me.

[jhnmdahl]

I don't think it's simply a matter of getting the right wires hooked up to the right three wires on the boat header - the switch you have is a "smart" switch - see https://pubs.volvopenta.com/publications/7797218 for instructions on installing, setting maximum raise and lower, etc..

I'd perhaps abandon the switch you have and find a SPDT switch with a middle disconnected neutral position, or a pair of SPST switches for your three-wire connector.

The 282 manual from 2008 shows this as a trim switch, but the Mercury and Volvo options may well have been different.

transom.jpg

Edit - this 2008 boat with a Volvo Penta outdrive has a switch that looks exactly like the one in the drawing - https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2008-co ... 2-9915713/

2008-cobalt-202-power-9915713-20250915100546706-17.jpg

[Canterbury]

Thank you for digging on this Jhmndahl. The switch on that 202 is the Mercruiser version and it DOES have the 3 color wires. It is not plug n play for a Volvo, but as I have discovered, neither is mine.

[Canterbury]

The smart switch link (part # 7797218) appears to be for a controller at the helm station vs the transom. The VP tilt switch unit that I have (part # 3855650), with the Up/Down arrows, ties into that controller. I have tried searching dozens of schematics online but none fit. Anyone have VP's diagrams for this area?

[jhnmdahl]

Thank you for digging on this Jhmndahl. The switch on that 202 is the Mercruiser version and it DOES have the 3 color wires. It is not plug n play for a Volvo, but as I have discovered, neither is mine.

If you follow the link to the boat, it appears to be a Volvo engine and outdrive. I couldn't find a lot of other Cobalts of that vintage with clear pictures of a transom tilt switch. I wonder if Cobalt made their own harnesses or adapters in-house? Or maybe someone retrofit it?

The switch you have looks like it has several data connections in the round connector and separate power connections. I'm sure you could crack it open and figure out how to directly wire a few wires to the appropriate switches, but it seems like an uphill battle. I'd strongly consider the switch it looks like Cobalt likely used at the time, and buy whatever wire ends I needed to crimp onto the switch from Digi-Key, Mouser, or another online supplier. Something like:

https://www.wholesalemarine.com/transom ... 815200a02/

[bruceb58]

10 years ago, I bought that same switch for a Volvo Penta that I had. Back when I was researching it, it plugged into the main connector of a trim unit that had a lot of other functions including a controller. Mine did not have that controller.

Just buy the Mercury 3 wire switch and put that switch on eBay...like I did!

[CBO]

I am the one that purchased the switch from bruceb58. Just buy the Mercruiser T harness, cut the plug off the Volvo switch and wire it accordingly. The red button will not be used in your application so there will be one spare wire. The Volvo switch is a much nicer looking switch and operates perfectly fine.

[bruceb58]

I am the one that purchased the switch from bruceb58. Just buy the Mercruiser T harness, cut the plug off the Volvo switch and wire it accordingly. The red button will not be used in your application so there will be one spare wire. The Volvo switch is a much nicer looking switch and operates perfectly fine.

I forgot I sold that to you! Which wire is the common and which is the up and down wires?

[CBO]

I am the one that purchased the switch from bruceb58. Just buy the Mercruiser T harness, cut the plug off the Volvo switch and wire it accordingly. The red button will not be used in your application so there will be one spare wire. The Volvo switch is a much nicer looking switch and operates perfectly fine.

I forgot I sold that to you! Which wire is the common and which is the up and down wires?

I don't recall off the top of my head. I just metered the wires after cutting off the plug then added the connectors to match up to the Mercruiser T harness. After that it was all plug and play.

[bruceb58]

I am the one that purchased the switch from bruceb58. Just buy the Mercruiser T harness, cut the plug off the Volvo switch and wire it accordingly. The red button will not be used in your application so there will be one spare wire. The Volvo switch is a much nicer looking switch and operates perfectly fine.

I forgot I sold that to you! Which wire is the common and which is the up and down wires?

I don't recall off the top of my head. I just metered the wires after cutting off the plug then added the connectors to match up to the Mercruiser T harness. After that it was all plug and play.

That's what the OP can also do. If you can take a picture of what wires you used, that would help him a lot.

[Canterbury]

A follow-up to my question on the VP Tilt switch that I bought. In case others may look for this issue down the road, I will place the info here in the Volvo Penta section and also in the Electronics thread as well. The switch in question was designed for the older VP Tilt pump that was placed inside the engine bay. The connector would have been plug-n-play for that one but mine is the newer DPS-A that has the pump outside the transom within the outdrive housing. Will need to hardwire.

I separated the wires from the plastic round connector and used a multi-meter to figure out which wires connect to where.

[attachment=0]VP Tilt Switch wires Small.jpg

Red button at the top, VP at bottom.

Grey = Ground Wire
Brown = Up
White = Down

Green + Yellow = Undetermined, not used

[bruceb58]

Hopefully, you mean grey is the common wire.

[Canterbury]

Yes, grey is the common wire. Don't need blown fuses or other issues.