TAPS not working

[Aalapuna]

I have a 99 2100v that I'm getting ready to drop in for spring/summer. Come to find out my TAPS system is not moving (won't go below 7). Seems to have connectivity but the hydraulic arms seem to be stuck. What could be the problem? More important...how can I fix them!

[G-MONEY]

You could have a hydraulic fluid leak.....

[da.bell]

Or does he have the electric version???

[zad0030]

Or does he have the electric version???

Im 99% sure his 99 is hydraulic.

Low on fluid or air in the lines?

[spharis]

Grab it and move it by hand while someone works the switch.

[illiniboarder88]

I had the same problem last week, and it actually ended up being relatively easy to fix. One side on mine was locked up, and the other side would move. So, I took the one that wasn't moving loose. Getting it off the boat was easy, but it was tough to get it off the plate. Given that your boat is a 99, you may some problems getting that loose. Mine is a 2000, and I had to drill out 2 bolts. Once I got it loose, I just unscrewed the hydrolic line. I also learned why my guage wasn't registering, the wire in there was broken. Once I had the hydrolic arm completely loose from the boat, I used an aircompressor to break it loose. I just applied bursts of air until it broke loose. This might not work for everyone, but it did for me. If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix my gauge, I'd appreciate it. It's broken off at the plastic, so simply splicing the wire won't work.

[spharis]

Where is the wire broken?

[illiniboarder88]

the wire is set in some sort of filling on the backside of the hydrolic arm. It's broken off just below the surface of that.

[dogbert]

Or does he have the electric version???

Trust me, it's hydraulic. The pump is behind the panel in the driver's side V-Drive compartment.

Aside from what illiniboarder said, I'd check the fluid levels and the connections on the throttle.

[illiniboarder88]

Honestly, there isn't that much to really go wrong with these things because they are fairly simple technology and have been around for a long time. My guess is that a little water has gotten into the cylinder, and now it's stuck. I poured some milky looking fluid out of mine once I got it off. Some may feel that I'm abusive to my boat, but I'd recommend putting a little downward pressure on the plate. If you do this, do you get both arms to move a little? If not, the problem lies within the hydrolic arm. Also, when I was troubleshooting my problem, I asked a mechanic who works on hydrolics for some suggestions on things to try. He told me to take the arm off, and to purge the system by running all of the fluid out of it once the arms were removed. Again, if their is fluid flowing out the back once the arm is gone when you hit the button, the problem lies in the arm. All it takes to get the arm off is 3 screws and two bolts....and a little care to avoid breaking that damn wire.

[Aalapuna]

Grab it and move it by hand while someone works the switch.

Hey Spharis - I tried what you suggested and could only get the arms to go down approximately 1/2 inch. The switch would raise back up...but would not move down any further. Suggestions? Ideas?

[spharis]

Did you double check the fluid levels in the reservoir?

[Aalapuna]

Did you double check the fluid levels in the reservoir?

honestly...not sure where the resevoir is...(don't laugh)...

[zad0030]

honestly...not sure where the resevoir is...(don't laugh)...

Right next to the flux capacitor and Mr. Fusion

[spharis]

I think on your boat it is in one of the forward storage compartments. It looks like a white plastic box with a clear plastic cover.