Advice please - 1995 Merc 60 hp / Tilt-trim issues

[JoeMan]

Friends...I have a 1995 Merc 60 HP 2 cycle motor that was in working order when parked...but has not been touched for 5 years. The tilt / trim is not working. When pressing the up/down buttons on either the motor or on the control handle, all that happens is clicking from the relays. I read in a number of places to start with replacing the 2 relays. Bought the parts, installed, and same thing...just clicking at the relays. Battery is charged, motor turns over strong. I'm not a mechanic, and don't know where to go from here. If images are helpful, I'm happy to provide them.

 

[airshot]

What is the actual voltage on your battery, just charged means nothing. If the battery is ilder, have it load tested, usually free at most auto stores. Then check connections for corrosion....for some reason electrical connections seem to corrode faster when not used. Make all connections nice and shiney. Once the battery has been shown to be good and all connections are clean then look at specific failures of components.

 

[JoeMan]

What is the actual voltage on your battery, just charged means nothing. If the battery is ilder, have it load tested, usually free at most auto stores. Then check connections for corrosion....for some reason electrical connections seem to corrode faster when not used. Make all connections nice and shiney. Once the battery has been shown to be good and all connections are clean then look at specific failures of components.

My battery is charged, connections are clean, but it is older. I'm going to double check the battery for load, and I'll respond again - likely tonight. THANKS.

 

[JoeMan]

@airshot - thanks again for your response. Since my battery failed, I took my lunch hour to go purchase a brand new type 27 marine battery - confirmed fully charged, very clean connections. Still just clicking at the new relays...whose connections are very clean as well. I'll appreciate it if you can suggest the next couple steps in the line of troubleshooting.

 

[airshot]

@airshot - thanks again for your response. Since my battery failed, I took my lunch hour to go purchase a brand new type 27 marine battery - confirmed fully charged, very clean connections. Still just clicking at the new relays...whose connections are very clean as well. I'll appreciate it if you can suggest the next couple steps in the line of troubleshooting.

Not an electrician here, but wanted to cover the basics before digging deeper. Have you tried using a vom to check voltages ? Others with far more electrical knowledge will hopefully chime in here..

 

[JoeMan]

No sir...I'm as far from a mechanic (boat or otherwise) as can be. However, I'm pretty handy, and able to do about anything someone can guide me to check.

 

[Chris1956]

It sounds like the PTT motor may be bad. Test it as follows.

If the PTT motor has two leads. Connect them directly to the battery and see if the PTT motor turns.

If the PTT motor has three leads, make sure the black wire is well grounded. Now connect one of the other leads (blue, green) to battery power and see if the PTT motor turns. Repeat with the other non-black lead.

 

[JoeMan]

Thank you Chris. I'll do this tomorrow evening and then report back. Appreciate it!