TAPS system not extending as far as it used to

[benmcmahon]

Hi all,
I've searched the forum and can't find this problem on here yet. I have a 1998 pre2200i. The taps worked great until one day I noticed they weren't working. I traced the problem to the pistons not extending the full distance. They only travel about 1 inch, putting the tab from horizontal to about +10 degrees. They retract fine. I filled the reservoir and still having the same issue. Traced all the wires and relay and everything looks good.

Anyone seen this before?
Thanks.

[TeamAllen]

I would have suggested the low fluid, but you topped it off and still have the same issue. Maybe some air got in the lines? Maybe it needs to be bled like brakes?
You can rebuild the Bennett piston with a kit they sell. Here is their contact # 954.427.1400

I've never measured mine, maybe an inch is full travel? You've seen yours go further than that before? What does your TAPS gauge show?

[Iwndr]

Drain your reservoir and check your suction tube. You may have water in there and some sludge on the bottom. That's what happened to mine last year. Just changed and flushed it and it worked like new.

[IDBoating]

Drain your reservoir and check your suction tube. You may have water in there and some sludge on the bottom. That's what happened to mine last year. Just changed and flushed it and it worked like new.

Very interesting. That raises a question: Does the TAPS gauge show ACTUAL piston position, or just what it "thinks" it should be based on how long the pump has run? If it's indicating actual position, then the problem you and the OP describe should be visible as a reduction in movement range on the gauge.

[Iwndr]

Mine would go to about position 5 then stop. The HPU would keep pumping but it was stalled out. It would return to 8 on demand. There is a spring in the actuator that will return it to position 8 or home position when the solenoid opens. Maybe a different issue but it will only cost a qt of atf to try it.

[benmcmahon]

Thanks, I will give this a try. I have gotten way more travel on the taps system before. I don't know in terms of "inches of piston" but I've seen the tab at 45 degrees, and i'm getting about 10 degrees right now.

I will update with my findings after I try this.

Drain your reservoir and check your suction tube. You may have water in there and some sludge on the bottom. That's what happened to mine last year. Just changed and flushed it and it worked like new.

[Iwndr]

Thanks, I will give this a try. I have gotten way more travel on the taps system before. I don't know in terms of "inches of piston" but I've seen the tab at 45 degrees, and i'm getting about 10 degrees right now.

I will update with my findings after I try this.

I bench tested mine on a battery out of the boat and pumped both ways. You should see (hear) the solenoid open/close and the motor swap direction on the HPU. I talked with Bennett before I pulled it and they were thinking a faulty o ring in the actuator. They said they rarely see the HPU'S fail.

[benmcmahon]

So I talked to Tige and Bennet. We confirmed the actuator is making its full stroke (1.125in for Tiges). But it barely puts the tab horizontal with the bottom of the hull. How far do your tabs go below the hull bottom?

[Iwndr]

So I talked to Tige and Bennet. We confirmed the actuator is making its full stroke (1.125in for Tiges). But it barely puts the tab horizontal with the bottom of the hull. How far do your tabs go below the hull bottom?

Not as much as you think it should. But I will go measure. That sounds about right .... level with the hull

[Iwndr]

I was wrong again. just looked at mine and it does go past the hull about 1"