outdrive will only raise if the engine is running

[medicstl]

Hi all! I have a 1998 Byliner Capri 1750 ls. I bought the boat last season from a dealer at the Lake of The Ozark's. The boat is in incredible condition with the expected wear and tear of a 19 year old. I have had the normal problems and have been able to figure them all out but this has me stumped; so here I am. The outdrive will not "trim up" or raise, even into the trailer position unless the engine is running. I have had the boat for a year and this has not been a problem thus far. This past weekend I pulled to the ramp after a day on the water and pulled the boat onto the trailer and attempted to raise the drive and only had a "click"; engine off, kids in the truck... people waiting.... I assumed I had a bad battery that could not take the load so I started the boat and tried again and it raised right up, then into trailer position with no problem, no hesitation etc. Had the battery tested and it is all good. So, the question is why will the outdrive only raise with the engine running? It trims down with the motor off no problem..... Any ideas??

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

One or two things, actually 3.

The battery is going bad or the battery connections need a good cleaning. A corroded connection at the battery or trim pump can cause this. It takes more juice/current to lift the outdrive and less to lower it, that's why it will go down. Starting the motor gives just a little more oomph.

The third thing - You probably need a new impeller if you started the motor out of the water.

 

[kmarine]

Some of the bayliner boats like my 87capri required the key switch in the on position to operate trim. Turn off engine turn key to on do not start raise trim shut off key.
to lower trim turn key to on. lower trim, turn key to start engine. It is different than other brands but was never an issue.

 

[medicstl]

Welcome aboard.

One or two things, actually 3.

The battery is going bad or the battery connections need a good cleaning. A corroded connection at the battery or trim pump can cause this. It takes more juice/current to lift the outdrive and less to lower it, that's why it will go down. Starting the motor gives just a little more oomph.

The third thing - You probably need a new impeller if you started the motor out of the water.

Thanks for the reply!! That was my first thought, that it needed a bit more current to get the motor to raise. I did have the battery tested and it was showing a 13v charge, so its good. I definitely plan on cleaning all the contacts and connections and hopefully that works! As for the impeller, It was never started out of the water, we were still in the water at the boat ramp before we trailered the little guy.

Thanks again for your input!!