Mercruiser tilt & trim wires

[rick332]

My 1983 Mercruiser has 2 wires that look like an extension cord and run from some sort of circuit breaker or junction box on the front of the engine over the top of the engine and out the back through the drive unit they are burnt crispy i assume these have something to do with the Tilt & Trim i have been told not to fix them and it will still work fine i want to know how hard it would be to replace them? Because I have the engine out right now and what do they do?Thanks

 

[Rickles]

Re: Mercruiser tilt & trim wires

Those are your trim limit switch wires.If you have 4 wires (2 pair)you also have a trim sender.On the side of your gimble ring you'll a sender for each.Left side is for limit and right for sender.You'll need to pull the drive and u-joint bellows to gain access to the plate holding the split plug in the transom plate.The top bolt can be a real hassle if corrosion is present.Have fun.

 

[rick332]

Re: Mercruiser tilt & trim wires

Thanks rickles but i would like to know do i have to fix these wires or will it work without them?And if i have to fix them try to give me a clear picture of what is involved and how to do it as you can I am inexperienced in this field.thanks for any info

 

[Rickles]

Re: Mercruiser tilt & trim wires

You don't have to fix it.The trailer switch will trim up the drive for max.performance.Just don't go to far and cavitate the prop.You'll here the rpm's go up and the mph go down when that happens.Too long and you'll "burn"the prop.I do that job in about 2 1/2- 3 hours but i do it for a living.If you really want to know how to do it buy a manual.

 

[hoot]

Re: Mercruiser tilt & trim wires

my wires were bad also, did not replace them. unit still works. have to listen and "feel" where the outdrive is. do not have a trim up limit cut out anymore. too high and will get wear on the u-joints. very bad choice of wires by mercury.