Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

[cancruiser]

2 days ago we had a violent thunderstorm and got a ton of rain in a very short time around 5am. When I went outside around 8am I heard a mechanical noise coming from my boat sitting on the trailer in the driveweay. At first I thought the bilge was on but when I went to the panel the switch was off. I quickly realized it was the tilt/trim pump going crazy. The pump body was very warm, almost hot. The momentary trim switch must have shorted with the rain. I wiggle the switch and the pump stops but starts back up on its own a few minutes later.

The battery is disconnected for now but when I do hook the batter up and try the trim button the pump makes some odd noises, almost a gurggling noise and nothing happens.

Is the hydrolic fluid shot or am I looking at something more serious? I also have the leak down issue but I found some great threads on here to fix that, but thats another day...

Thanks

 

[RRitt]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

is this a 2w or 3w trim system?

 

[cancruiser]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

Lost me already RRitt.....

It's on a 88 Force 125

 

[RRitt]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

1988 is a 2w system. use a jewelers screwdriver to push motor wires out from front of connector block. hot wire the motor directly to the battery to make sure trim system is working. then replace relays and check/replace switch. try again and if it doesn't work then you'll have to get out wiring diagrams and dig deeper.

 

[khoonie]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

I have the same problem with my Tilt/Trim. I also have a Force 125. For me, the culprit is the momentary switch, which eventually fails and behaves as you described. After the apparent original momentary switch failed in this same manner, I went to the local Marine store and they had one just like the original. I put it on and it worked beautifully - for one week. Then, after a heavy rainstorm, my daughter, who happened to be outside, heard the whirring sound and when I checked, the brand new switch had failed in the same way! It may just be coincidental, but now that I see you are having the identical problem, I wonder if there is some wiring issue, perhaps a short circuit, which only occurs when it is very wet? I am going to buy a new momentary switch and try to find a higher quality one this time to see what happens.

 

[cancruiser]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

I checked the switch as RRitt mentioned and it is indeed the switch just as you posted khoonie. I also suspect that these Marine Momentary on-off-on switches really are not marine grade. I have been looking on line all day yesterday for something that would work and have yet to find a better solution that will fit in the panel properly.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

I also have the same problem with the switch in the handle of my US Marine control box. It occurs randomly so I either disconnect the battery or pull one of the signal wire connectors. Mine always goes up so I pull the up signal wire connector.

I have had the switch out of the handle and it doesn't look marine grade, in fact, there is no sealing at all. The switch is not available by itself ( at least where I looked) and a pigtailed switch costs --if I remember -- like 30 bucks. The switch itself looks like a standard Japanese miniature. It appears that this is a very common problem among us Force owners

 

[RRitt]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

sounds like a job for a marine grade trash bag whenever you park your boat.

 

[khoonie]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

I haven't found any switches that are sealed, either. I wonder if you took one and dipped it in some liquid silicone and then hung it up to dry, if it would seal it at least to some degree? You would need to tape-up the contacts and the switch toggle first, of course. Has any body tried this?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

Here's what I used to replace my dash mounted Tilt/Trim switch. It has an optional rubber boot to screw on over the part of the switch that protrudes from the dash. Helps prevents water from getting into the switch. The back part of the switch is under the dash but is not 100% water tight. It has been working for the past 5 years w/no problems.


MOM-ON/OFF/MOM-ON NYLON BLACK HANDLE, D.P.D.T

 

[khoonie]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

I found these two Cole Hersee switch parts at the local O'Reilly Auto Parts store. (I think they are similar to what pnwboat posted) They had to have them sent from another store but I don't have to pay shipping. The Cole Hersee part numbers and descriptions are: (1) Black Toggle Boot Seal, Part #81264-01 & (2) Toggle Switch, Part # 55021-07. Total cost is about 25 dollars. The switch looks as though it is well sealed and it has three wire leads instead of the spade connectors. I hope this works - I don't want to burn up a brand new tilt/trim motor rebuild (100 dollars) because of a lousy 4 dollar switch. I hope this is some help to others, thanks for everyone's help. If I didn't have this forum to help me, I probably would give up and sell my boat out of frustration for lack of helpful information.

"If you're too busy to go fishin', you're too busy..."

 

[maytheforcebewithus]

Force tilt trim US Marine in handle replacement switch

Force tilt trim US Marine in handle replacement switch

After months of searching and several e-mails to manufacturers and suppliers looking for a reliable replacement center off momentary SPDT switch for my US Marine/Force control I stumbled across this switch. With a little modification it fits perfectly behind the rubber weather seal of the old switch which I sealed to the housing with some black rtv silicone. While it is not pictured on the web site i received these photos upon request, here is the link I hope this helps someone. I ordered 3 as there is an extra handling fee for the purchase of only one small item I believe it cost under $25 bucks for all 3.

MR3-127 - (ON)-OFF-(ON) Rocker switches SPDT 6Amp Momentary

View attachment 197341View attachment 197342View attachment 197343

 

[khoonie]

Re: Problem with Tilt/Trim on Force 125

Here is the Cole - Hersee switch and the toggle switch boot that I referenced above. As you can see, this switch is sealed and when you screw on the toggle switch boot, it becomes relatively waterproof. Having the wire leads instead of the exposed metal spade connectors should make it less likely to short out. I will wire it in tomorrow. Hopefully, it will not fail as all the others have, but if it does, I will post it here.