2004 Mercruiser alpha 1 trim not going down

tdagner

Cadet
Joined
Sep 30, 2014
Messages
24
Hi All, Im having some trouble with the trim on my 2004 Mercruiser Alpha one not trimming down. It will trim up fine, but will not go back down. For the past few years it has been hit or miss whether it would trim down or not, and last week after trimming it up it is no longer working.

When I push the trim down button, all I get is a clicking sound come from the solenoid. I am assuming that I need to put another solenoid on there, but wanted to get some others opinions. Everything looks pretty clean back there. No corrosion. Its a freshwater boat that has been kept on a dry lift under roof and cover for its entire life. Does anyone know which solenoid is the up solenoid, and which is the down? It looks like there are 2 of them.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,405
The one with the blue motor wire.(blue sky up, green grass down ) short the 2 large lugs, motor works .replace solenoid. if not check connections or motor
 

stonyloam

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
5,827
Sounds like you are making the correct assumption, but it might be something as simple as a bad connection, to be sure: take off the large green wire and clean the terminal till it is shiny, put it back on securely and give it a try. If nothing, take your voltmeter (20 v DC range) and red probe on small green wire, black on ground, hit the switch. Should be 12v, and solenoid should click. Next red on large green wire, black on ground, hit the switch, 0 volts = bad solenoid.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,241
Ayuh,.... Great advise above,.... Clean the wirin' connections 1st,...

Then test, 'n verify the solenoid is bad, before replacin' anything,...
 
Top