taps stopped working

[johnnys5]

Hi everyone I'm new here. Just purchased my first V drive last Friday.
I have a 02 2100V. When I took it out today my taps was moving on its own at about 35mph. It just kept creeping up to 7 on the indicator. I couldn't get it to go back down
I opened up the engine compartment and there was a red oil spraying up on the compartment lid.
Is this the hydraulic oil for the trim tabs?

[skippabcool]

I have never seen any red hydraulic oil. ATF is red. Could you see where is was coming from? If not I would wipe everything down and then see if you can find out where it is coming from.

Welcome to the site and congrats on your boat. Post some pics when you get a chance.

[chpthril]

The TAPS motor is hydraulic and it does use ATF Dexron. I could easily see a leak allowing the water pressure against the plate compress the ram. That would explain why the gauge would move on its own up to 7. See red fluid reinforces this. Clean the area, top off the pump and have someone operate the TAPS and see if you can pin point the leak.

[bvaughn]

What if my TAPS has completely quit working?

I started having problems a week ago whe it would only move from 4-8. Or at least that is what the gauge was reading. Then, yesterday, it quit working completely. I checked the fuses and the breaker button was popped on the switch panel under the dash. I pushed it in, and you could hear the electrical system trying to move the plate, but nothing happens on the plate or the gauge. This is a 2011 Ve with 116 hours. Could it be the actuator? Is that a do it yourself fix for a clueless person?