1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

[ElmoTheDestroyer]

Hi,

I bought a 1992 19" Sterling Cuddy... I haven't had it in the water yet, I've been cleaning/going over all the systems and repairing stuff as needed.

When I bought the boat the tilt/trim on the 115hp Merc Mariner outboard seemed to work the way it should... Well, it's been sitting 3 weeks in my driveway. I went out today to lower the drive and got nothing... I got it to go up for a sec, then I had nothing.

I might have been hearing a faint click back near the engine (solenoid probably)... I checked the wiring under the dash and everything seems tight/good connections... I started messing with the steering wheel, and by turning the wheel, I could get the trim/tilt to work sporadically.

Obviously I have a loose connection somewhere... Any idea where it might be?

It's probably something stupid, I ran out of time today to troubleshoot further, so I thought I'd post and see if anyone had a similiar problem and knew where would be good to start looking.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

Check the fluid in the tilt. Low fluid can do that and so can a bad tilt motor.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

tap the PTT motor with a hammer

this is a way long shot that it's happening on your boat, but I had a boat that kept blowing the 20A fuse for the ptt/starter (70 johnson) once you got up to speed. chased it for over a year. turns out the steering wheel base is soft and bent a little, and the wheel assembly was touching the fuel guage power connection and shorting it.

but I'd suspect the switches first, motor second. try a direct connection to the ptt motor first.

 

[Stachi]

Re: 1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

I would think it could be in the wiring harness leading to the engine at the splashwell.....the harness moves when you steer the outboard.....

 

[ElmoTheDestroyer]

Re: 1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll start playing around with stuff after lunch, I'll post whatever the fix happens to be when I find it.

 

[ElmoTheDestroyer]

Re: 1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

And the winner is....... Admiral Home Cookin'!

I tapped the PTT motor with a hammer and wala! back to life it came... then cut back out.. then tapped it again and it worked for a bit...

Definitely a loose connection or bad motor. I'm hoping loose conncetion, will be digging into it further soon, but at least I have it way narrowed down.

Once I trace down the actual cause I'll let ya'll know.

Thanks again guys/gals!

 

[ElmoTheDestroyer]

Re: 1992 115hp Mariner outboard - Tilt trim cuts out when steering wheel is turned?

Curious, if I have to replace the PTT motor, any recommendations on who would be the cheapest place to order it from, and roughly what will the part cost?

Thanks!