1983 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp 3cyl, Problems with TRIM or TRIM SWITCH (I think) ?? Help

[Kfarron1]

OK, So I am a total newbie but have handy hands and a brain so I can do a lot of guy stuff myself, I do all my own car/truck work and always have, new to boats but I feel with some help I can probably get this licked and be back on my way to happy boating.....


Anyways, I have a 1979 fiber form runabout with the 1983 johnson 75 hp seahorse outboard... Been running great all season with no issues, in fact last time I had it out was about 2-3 weeks ago, was a great day.... Went to take it out today with my wife and noticed that the trim/tilt switch for the engine won't work when u hit it to go up, but it went down fully, so now not only am I stuck with my engine down which isn't cool for towing, I just can't get it back up... The pump clearly works as it did its thing normally to go down, but why won't it work to go up ??


Any and ALL help is most greatly appreciated...

IF you need any more info from me ask away, and I will check back here often, I am hoping the community here can help me get my lil joy boat going again so I can get her back on the water....


Thanks in advance!
-Keith

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 1983 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp 3cyl, Problems with TRIM or TRIM SWITCH (I think) ??

You can raise that engine by using the manual release valve located thru the starboard(right) transom bracket; there is ahole on the outside with a slotted srewhead visiable. Turn that screw out about two turns and you should be able to raise the engine. As for not going up does the trim motor run when you hit the up button; if not then the up relay may be shot or can you hear it "click" when the button is pressed? If no click you may try swapping the relays in the black box where the trim motor wires go in. Let us know what you find. Good luck

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 1983 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp 3cyl, Problems with TRIM or TRIM SWITCH (I think) ??

well, did you get it figured out?

 

[Kfarron1]

Re: 1983 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp 3cyl, Problems with TRIM or TRIM SWITCH (I think) ??

I didn't get it figured out yet, My next question is where are the relays in the black box, is that the same black box that has the old style small fuse in it ? like u said where the two sets of wires go in ?? It doesnt go up at all only down and no click when trying to go up.... I feel its something simple as it wants to go down and will but wont go back up, like u said possibly and hopefully a relay, I just gotta find the relays now... lol

I will check into this after I drop my son off for a lil bit...

Thank you for the responses so far!!!!!

-Keith

 

[Kfarron1]

Re: 1983 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp 3cyl, Problems with TRIM or TRIM SWITCH (I think) ??

The problem is now FIXED, I swapped the relays after finding them in the fuse/junction box... and then the trim wouldnt go down but only up... Figured/Assumed it was the one bad looking relay, Ran over to west marine (lucky to have one local to me) and they matched a proper relay out for me, popped it in and now I have fully working up and down trim/tilt...

Best part of the story is it only cost me $19.97 after tax for the replacement parts, I can only imagine what a marina woulda charged me to figure that out and fix it (diagnose, repair, etc... ) YIKES!

Thanks for your help Will Bark!!!
I appericate it very very much...

-Keith

 

[Will Bark]

Re: 1983 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp 3cyl, Problems with TRIM or TRIM SWITCH (I think) ??

Glad you got it fixed and at a low price mechanic in my area start at $95.00/hr whether they fix anything at all.