Questions about 1993 Maxum 1800 xr

[Rcpritchard]

Hello everyone, I just purchased my first boat, a1993 maxum 1800 xr. I have a few questions about it. I hope you can help, I'm definitely a no noobie here.
1. What is the big button on top of the control shifter, it's about 2-1/2" long
2. What is the button "Trailer" half way up on the control shifter
3. What is the red button for, just to the right of the ignition switch?

Also, the trim, volts and mph gauges do not work. Horn also does not work. Any ideas on getting these to work?
Thanks for any help.

[jrsick]

Welcome. Take a look on the home page for owner's manuals in the "site documentation" section. There's no substitute for sitting down and reading the manual. Regarding the big button on top of the control shifter, I think you are talking about the neutral release lever. It locks the throttle in the neutral position until you push it in. The trailer button allows you to trim the outdrive all the way up for transporting the boat on a trailer. The red button may be the emergency shutoff switch, does it have a red lanyard attached to it? Always good to post pictures if possible. Good luck and congratulations!

[mmwjr]

Welcome aboard.

Button on top side of the shifter is a lock that must be depressed to move the shifter out of neutral.
Trailer button raises the out drive up beyond operating trim so the boat can be trailered without damaging the drive by it hitting the ground.
Not sure of the red button, post a picture. Could be safety switch that a lanyard attaches to and the other end to the operator. If the operator were to go overboard it will kill the engine.

Gauge issues, trim is probably broken wires on trim sendor on the side of the drive transom assy, volt meter need to check connections on back, speedo is probably tube off or clogged where it attaches to out drive mid section

[Rcpritchard]

Here's 2 pics. One of the red button to the right of the ignition switch (Looks white in photo) and the control. The trailer button does nothing when pressed. The bow toggle switch does raise and lower the engine. Thanks for your input.

[Rcpritchard]

Oh one more quick question. Does anyone know what the statement above the ignition switch says? See first photo above. Thanks again.

[mmwjr]

What engine do you have? The push to choke sounds like an outboard.

[Rcpritchard]

Outboard Mercury 115

[Phillbo]

With the engine down push the toggle switch to Bow Up and raise the motor until it stops. Then push the Trailer Button and the toggle to Bow Up and I bet it comes up even further.

[mmwjr]

I believe Phillbo has it, my old 77' required you to press both the up and trailer buttom to get the unit all the way up.

Still not sure about the red button, may be choke

[jrsick]

The choke on that model is activated by pushing the key in while turning. I think the red button is a light. Let us know when you find out.

[cuzins101]

A note on the Speedo, there is a hole on the front of the lower unit. Use a small drill bit BY HAND to clear out debri from the hole. Do NOT use the drill, just the bit...

[Kevlar7r]

The red button may be a choke switch that someone added after the push in switch failed. I did this on an old boat years ago.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by cuzins101

A note on the Speedo, there is a hole on the front of the lower unit. Use a small drill bit BY HAND to clear out debri from the hole. Do NOT use the drill, just the bit...

This boat is an outboard so it should have a separate pick up.

[Kevlar7r]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

This boat is an outboard so it should have a separate pick up.

some outboards do have a pickup hole just like the i/o's. I had a 1979 Mercruiser 115 that had one.

I had another thought, that red button could be the circuit breaker for the ignition.