Tilt/Trim not functioning

[tonyjh63]

Ok, so my drive (Alpha 1, Gen 2) is all the way down and I can't get it to come up. Neither the transom-mounted control unit, not the regular unit at the throttle control will work. When pushing down on either unit, I can hear the "whirring" noise, but pushing up - nada, zilch. Obviously, I can't even drive it to my boat mechanic's to look at it, as it will drag my drive all the way there, so what can I do here at the house? Thanks for any/all advice!

 

[alldodge]

Jump across the top solenoid on the trim unit. This should run the the trim up. Could be you just have a bad solenoid or connection



Otherwise, disconnect the trim rams shaft rods from the drive and tie it up

 

[kenny nunez]

If all else fails to raise the drive, un bolt the rams at the rear of the drive and tie it up with a rope to transfer it.
If the pump runs and does not lift the drive there must be an oil leak somewhere. Is there oil in the bilge?

 

[tonyjh63]

Hey AllDodge, thanks for the reply! Now...where exactly is that solenoid, and how do I "jump across the top"? If I can't figure that out (or it doesn't work), do you mean just take out that long bolt running between the tilt/trim arm thingies? Then I should be able to manually pull the drive up, and tie it off? Thanks again!

P.S. Yeah, in case it's not obvious, I'm not very mechanically inclined! LOL!

 

[alldodge]

Trim pump



The solenoids are on the left side. The solenoid on top is for UP
There are 4 terminals on each solenoid. The small ones are controlled by the switches you have been pressing. Need to jump across the 2 larger studs which should raise the drive

Yes, remove the nuts on the long bolt thingies on both ends of the trim rams. Then pry the rams off the studs.

 

[achris]

If you intend removing the ram rear anchor, just pop the plastic cap off one end (or it may already be off. They get lost very easily), then flip the circlip out... remove the thin washer and push the anchor pin all the way through. Unlike the previous models, it's not a nut and thread situation, just the circlips.

Chris. ..

 

[tonyjh63]

AllDodge, by "jump across the two larger studs", does that mean get some wire and hook the two up to each other? Or maybe a screwdriver to touch both simultaneously (if possible)? Thanks for the response, both you and "achris"!

 

[achris]

A screwdriver would be perfect. Look for the solenoid with a red and a blue wire... (blue sky UP, Green grass DOWN. ..)

 

[tpenfield]

You mentioned the transom mounted switch and the throttle switch, but . . . did you try the trailer/tilt switch? :noidea:

 

[tonyjh63]

Kenny Nunez - sorry, I didn't even see your post earlier! (Looks like you posted it as I was typing a follow-up question to AllDodge's response). Thanks for the tip, and I'll check to see if there is oil in the bilge.

 

[tonyjh63]

tpenfield - what I meant by the "the regular unit at the throttle control" is the tilt/trim control at the throttle control (you know, the little rocker button on the throttle control). I assume that's what you're asking about?

 

[tpenfield]

tpenfield - what I meant by the "the regular unit at the throttle control" is the tilt/trim control at the throttle control (you know, the little rocker button on the throttle control). I assume that's what you're asking about?

Yes, if that is the switch for both the trim and the tilt ranges, you have the bases covered. Probably the solenoid. Been there, done that.

 

[tonyjh63]

I assume the solenoid in question is underneath that little plate thing?

 

[achris]

The 'plate thingy' is a cover for the terminals you need to short together...

 

[tonyjh63]

Well, I've confirmed (with a screwdriver) that the "Up" solenoid was bad. I've taken the old one out, but can't get to that last screw to take the bottom solenoid out. I've tried one of those angled coupler extension thingies, but still can't manage it. I've decided to take a break from it for now, before I get too frustrated and wind up taken a sledge hammer to the whole boat!
Would it have been easier/simpler to just take the whole trim pump assembly out and then work on it? Working on that sucker while basically hanging upside down in the boat is kinda tough - LOL!
Also, while I did take a pic of the assembly before starting, so I'd know how it goes back together, is there a drawing out there anywhere of exactly how all the little wires go back together on the unit? Putting stuff back together has always been the sticking point for me...LOL!
Thanks for any and all advice!
Tony

 

[Bondo]

Would it have been easier/simpler to just take the whole trim pump assembly out and then work on it?

Ayuh,..... obviously,....

 

[nola mike]

Well, I've confirmed (with a screwdriver) that the "Up" solenoid was bad. I've taken the old one out, but can't get to that last screw to take the bottom solenoid out.
Tony

Sounds like the bottom solenoid wasn't broken?

 

[tonyjh63]

You're right, the bottom solenoid was fine (the outdrive would go down, but not up). But, since I'm in there, I thought it'd be a good idea to go ahead and change them both out (and just keep the old bottom solenoid on the boat as a spare).

 

[alldodge]

Wiring
Big wires big post and smaller wires smaller post

 

[tonyjh63]

AllDodge - thanks!