Checking Taps Relay and Taps Switch

[KoolAidKid]

I sent this out to a customer today. Just in case anyone needs to verify Taps, taps switch and taps relay functionality. This has nothing to do with the taps gauge not reading properly.

First off be sure the plate is not moving. Do not trust the gauge at this point. If it is moving up and down go to the following steps.

Second be sure the shifter handle switch is not shorted out somewhere. Pull the 3 pin plug from the Taps relay. It will have a blue, red and green wire. Check with a volt meter that you do not have continuity between the red and blue, red and green, and blue and green wires. You may want to verify the switch is working properly at this time. Red and blue is one position and red and green is the other. Attach the leads to one pair and press the switch up and down. You should get a buzz or a signal in one direction on the blue and red wires and the other direction on the red and green wires.

Now lets verify the taps relay is working. Plug the 3 pin plug back in the taps relay. Unplug the 4 pin plug. Using a volt meter that can handle over 12vdc put the leads first on the black wire and the other on the green wire. You should see 12vdc on the up and down position of the switch. Next put your leads on the black and yellow wires. This will give you 12vdc on the up position. Then go to the black and blue wires. This will give you 12dc on the down position. This will verify the relay is operating correctly.

Hope this helps someone sometime.

[dogbert]

Great write-up! Thanks!

[Jason B]

Where is the 3-pin plug you are speaking of? My 4-pin is in the back compartment near the actuator unit/resevoir. Not seeing a 3-pin anywhere.

[KoolAidKid]

The 3 pin is at the helm. I don't recall what was used in '02. It could be the later setup which is a black epoxy square usually to the right of the helm.

The leads to this 3 pin connector come from the shifter itself. You can follow it from the switch, down the handle in a machined groove and through the rotating portion of the shifter.

[Jason B]

Ok, I can't find an 8 pin double pole single throw 12v relay anywhere. Do you have any ideda how to wire up 2 standard 12v relays to work the taps system. I know it can be done, I just don't know the schematics of HOW it should be done. I'm not paying 125$ for a freaking relay.

[hubdawg]

Taps short

Past couple of times out my Taps has been wigging out. It adjusts itself after moving the throttle in and out of gear. I also notice a glitch in the fuel gauge when it goes through a certain motion in the throttle. Seems like a short in the handle somewhere, how do you take it apart?.

[JGR]

Anyone know how to defeat the auto up feature of the Bennette tab?. I leave my boat on the lake for the summer and do not need this feature as if only a precautionary measure so the tab is up while trailing the boat. Thanks in advance.