Alpha Gen 2 Tilt/Trim - No Movement

[JoLin]

Today I hate boats.

Last fall when the transporter picked up the Carver to bring it to my house, the port-side outdrive wouldn't trim up. Hit the switch, motor ran, but no movement on the drive. Checked the fluid and it was full. Tried trim switch, trailer switch... couldn't get the outdrive to budge. There were a couple of tense moments during the tow, but my guy managed to get it into my driveway without scraping anything. I tried it a few times while I was winterizing, but no luck. I spent the winter on and off planning how I'd troubleshoot it in the spring.

This morning I hooked up the battery, hit the trim switches and BOTH drives go up and down fine. Trim in, trim out, trailer position... no issues. Of course, I'll go over everything electrical and hydraulic when I service the drives, but WTF??

Intermittent problems really stink.

 

[Scott Danforth]

probably dirt in the hydraulic pump, or a corroded contact. its most likely an oildyne 108 pump. easy to fix, simple to have serviced. if its a contact, clean them.

 

[JoLin]

Thanks, Scott. I see rebuild kits available, but is that a DIY job? I can do it if I don't need specialized testing equipment.

 

[achris]

..... Hit the switch, motor ran, but no movement on the drive. Checked the fluid and it was full. ...

My first thought was a corroded trim ram end cap. But then you go on to say it later worked. ????

But I would check the end caps anyway. Pull the rear anchor pin out of the rams and end of the drive and see how well the rams perform on their own.

Chris......

 

[JoLin]

Yeah, soon as I hit the switch the first time last week it worked on its own. I'd rather it had stayed broken so I could find the problem and fix it. Instead, it'll probably bite me in the butt again someday.

I took that drive off this morning to service it, so I'll try what you suggested. Figure I'll also disconnect the hydraulic lines and drain the old fluid, then refill. Maybe that'll flush out any junk that might've caused a temporary blockage.

Thanks.

 

[poconojoe]

Next time that happens and you need to trailer the boat, just disconnect the rams and tie everything up away from the road.

 

[Bondo]

Yeah, soon as I hit the switch the first time last week it worked on its own. I'd rather it had stayed broken so I could find the problem and fix it. Instead, it'll probably bite me in the butt again someday.

Ayuh,..... My Waguess is corrosion at a wirin' end,....

Take 'em apart, clean, reinstall, 'n grease 'em,....
Start at the battery, all the way through the relays,....

 

[JoLin]

Ayuh,..... My Waguess is corrosion at a wirin' end,....

Take 'em apart, clean, reinstall, 'n grease 'em,....
Start at the battery, all the way through the relays,....

I hear you, but there was never any loss of continuity. When I hit the switch the trim motor always runs, even when the drive wouldn't move.

 

[Bondo]

When I hit the switch the trim motor always runs,

Sorry,.... Missed that part,....