TAPS Issue

[Shuswap14]

I have a 98 22i and the TAPS system no longer operates fully. Basically, the plate on the transom does not go up and down all the way and the gauge (1-8) doesnt move either. However, when I activate the switch on the throttle, I can hear the TAPS motor moving and see that plate moving up and down only about an inch. My battery is new and fully charged, the oil in the pump is full and appears to be working fine. Im wondering if either the lines need to be bled or the two pistons (see attached) at the back are ceased? Any advise before I start to tear it down?

[Jason B]

The Taps plate does not move very much on mine. That's normal. little movement makes a big difference. I would venture a guess to say that your Taps may be working ok, but your gauge is either bad or not grounded properly.

[Fiveflat]

Do the linear actuator actually retract when the motor is shut down? Because I alway run the TAPS down to 1 when I'm cruising home and when I pull the boat out of the water it looks like the plate is up all the way. I'm curious to know how much movement there really is from 1 to 8...

[Shuswap14]

The plate doesnt retract on its own back to one. The 1 inch displacement of the plate itself is not making any real difference in the wake. When it was working a year ago, the difference (from 1-8) on the wake was massive and very noticeable. Judging by the size of the two "pistons" in the back, I would expect that plate to move up and down about 6 inches or more (from the guage readings of 1-8). Can anyone confirm the range or that plate on a working system. It has to be more than an inch?

[embo]

We have a 2005 22v and I haven't measured it but I know when the plate is at pegged at 7+ the plate is at about a 45 degree angle up from level. I don't know how much it moves below level but I would imagine it might be 1/2 inch. So I would put the total travel at around 4 inches. If I think about it, I will measure it tomorrow and let you know.

[embo]

Sorry for taking so long but I did finally look at my plate an it moves only about 4 inches.

[Shuswap14]

TAP isssue

Thanks for checking. That makes sense that it would move about 4 inches. So, then I think the 2 pistons are seized or something so in the driveway, I push down on the plate when someone activates the switch. Same thing, the piston only extends maybe an inch (maybe 10 degrees) . The pump motor sounds like is run its full range so maybe there is air in the line? I have no idea what to check next. Any advise would be great as Id like to fix it before the snow flies up here.

[embo]

Well, if no one else says anything about this... and you don't have anywhere else to turn, call Joel at Stayton Motors in Stayton, OR. He is really good to talk to about most anything. He is head of the small Tige Dealer ship. Everytime I have delt with him he seems to give the right kind of advice. Plus I know he changed one piston on my boat. Not sure what the problem was though. I think it completely stopped working.

Stayton Motors 503-769-5392. Ask for Joel.

I know this isn't in your area but he might be able to tell you someone you could go to in your area.

Anyway, just a thought if you can't get anything more out of people in this forum. But I would suspect someone has the answer on this forum as it seems to be a great place.

[tigecanuck]

Shuswap14,

I am the owner of your local Tige dealership, Hyperactive watersports. I have a hard working 2001 21v (we donate it to a local kids camp every summer) with the same two ram system as your's so I have worked on that setup before.

The issue is probably with with the pump, the ram(s), or air in the line. I doubt that there is air in the line as it would work itself out over time or you would see fluid leaking somewhere. As the plate is moving somewhat it probably has nothing to do with the switch on the shift handle. I believe that only one TAPS ram is used to move the plate and the other is not connected to the pump. The pump is easier to change so I would try replacing that first. The ram also has a signal wire that feeds the guage on the dash and I have seen those fail before (ie. ram works but guage does not register). Sounds to me like a new pump and ram would clearly solve it, but you could try one at a time if you have some time to work with it. Call me directly if you need parts. 403-277-9118 Ext 1 Ask for John. Or we do have a service department that can look at it for you but it sounds like you are mechanical enough to do this yourself.

[Tigebert]

Shuswap 14

Our family is looking for a Tige multisport boat (ski,ride,surf). I was thinking of a 97 or 98 but the bow rides so close to the water I'm worried about getting caught in rough water as Shuswap can blow up pretty good sometimes. Do you ever have any issues with submerging the bow in rough water on yours??

Don't mean to steal your thread (tried to send you a private but you're not set up for it)