Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

[jfb]

I am looking to purchase my first boat. I looked at one yesterday, a MercCruser w/ AlfaOne drive. The throttle has a toggle switch that says UP / DOWN (2 positions) and a seperate push button that says TRAILER. The drive goes down in the DOWN switch position but not up. To get the drive up the TRAILER button needs to be pushed. This does not seem correct to me but at least the tilt pump is working in that one direction meaning possibly the switch or solinoid needs to be replaced. Which I am fine to do. I would know what is correct with a manual but don't want to purchase one until I have a boat. Any thoughts or recomendations would be appreacated.

 

[Bizmark]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

Had the same problem with my first boat. <br /><br />Try removing and cleaning the contacts inside the trim limit switch on the port side of the gimbal ring on the drive. It is round with two wires coming from it. I think it is held on with two screws. Make a note of its position before removing, so that you can put it back in the same location.<br /><br />It was an easy fix for me.

 

[djvan]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

Mine did this exact same thing, the person that owned it before me had taken the position sensor off to service outdrive and didn't get it back right. Try to remove it, 2 phillips screws I think on port side (covers the hinge pin) (be careful these are easily broken off) once removed have one person hold the tilt trim button up while the other rotates the sensor, if it kicks in then you need to adjust the sensor. Kind of touchy to adjust. It should kick out when you reach max speed without porpoising. If not you have other problems. I'm sure someone else has other ideas also.<br /><br />HTH's<br /><br />DougV>

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

Or you can do what I (and many others!) do and bypass the trim limit switch completely. The purpose of the switch is to limit the amount of trim or tilt you can achieve while underway. The trailer feature lets the outdrive go all the way up. If you bypass the limit switch on the outdrive you can go all the way up or down with the toggle switch on the throttle. You just need to be careful not to trim it too far up while underway.

 

[jfb]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

All you folks are great, thank you. Does the same pump and cylinder's do all of the Tilt, Trim AND Trailer functions? Is it the respective solinoids that tell the pump to work and in which direction?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

Same pump. You have one solenoid for up and one for down. The trailer switch and the up switch use the same solenoid. (Just that the up switch is routed through the trim limit switch on the outdrive).

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

By the way, a common place for corrosion to be a problem is where the wiring harness plugs into the side of the motor assembly.

 

[tryan]

Re: Tilt - Trim or Trailer functions

i found a short in one of the wires at the position sensor on a genII. an easy repair.