Trim Dead on Alpha 1

[Wellcraft233]

1990 Alpha1 w/Trim button on Quick silver throttle handle. Last trip out started to work off and on. This trip everythng was dead. No clicking no nothing. Pump was replaced last year. On the boat ramp I tried to go around the "up/down" switch by cutting it off. Didnt have any luck so I broke out the manual at home. I can get power at the pump. I can get power at the switch on the throttle(the one I cut off on the boat ramp). The cable that runs from the pump up to the front is the normal 4 conductor. I unplugged the Trim limit leads and still nothing. If I touch my hot wire to the up or down wire where I cut my switch, shouldn't that work ? The cable seems to be good all the way around the boat. What do I try next.

 

[tommays]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

you really need a wireing diagram and a meter <br /><br />you have to see if power is getting to the primay conection on the up and down sol on the pump most of your checking needs to be done on the pump<br /><br />the most common problem is bad connections<br /><br />blue wires are for the up<br /><br />green wires are for the down<br /><br />cutting wires is a very bad idea most can be<br /> unpluged<br /><br />if you have a manual check the fuse on the pump in the black rubber boot <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Wellcraft233]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

I found the disconnect point in the throttle handle after I cut!! I checked the fuse, and all the connections looked good. I wasn't sure if was as simple as sending power back down to the blue or green. I know last night I was getting power to both solenoids but I never tried to jump across them. Is that possible? The pump end was replaced last summer ,thats why I was assuming it was the switch. What are the chances of buying just the toggle switch I cut off?

 

[tommays]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

i am a concerned to tell you how to jump the sol for testing you do not seam to have done much electric work<br /><br />if you misunderstand it can get quite a spark shower the pump is connected dirrectly to the battery<br /><br />look at you diagram each sol has a big wire going to the pump and a small wire comeing from the controls<br /><br />to test up and down you can remove the plug at the pump and then use a jumper wire from the + to the small green wire to go down or the small blue to go up<br /><br />if you do not understand this please do not try it<br /><br />if the pump still does not run the problem is at the sol or in the pump motor <br /><br />the sol should make a clicking noise when they get power to the small wire<br /><br /><br />again when the pump will not run up or down it is most likely a bad battery connection they may look fine but do not carrry power<br /><br />tommays

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

Go to the link below and go to page 1C-11. It's the trouble shooting section of the Mercruiser service manual. There is detailed instructions on testing.<br /><br /> Troubleshooting

 

[Wellcraft233]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

The manual that I have said to unplug the leads that go to the Trim Limit switch . Can I leave those disconnected while I am working my way thru the other troubleshooting?

 

[Wellcraft233]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

OK now that have pulled everything out of the way and can get to it. I was not getting any power going to the blue or grn sol. I pulled off the 110 fuse and I now have power. So Will any boat dealer have that 110 fuse, and do I most likely have a short somewhere to have blown it? The boat is 14yrs old.

 

[tommays]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

it is a merc part and it is only ment to fail in a big overload <br /><br />the only place you can have a short is right on the trim pump it could have failed from old age <br /><br /><br />the link don gave is very compleat and if your unsure after reading it may be best to let a teck service it for you<br /><br />tommays

 

[Wellcraft233]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

All of the nuts/washers are coated in what looks like a black paint. I am guessing its to keep the corrosion down. I replaced the carb. this spring and the same stuff was all over the fuel line and manifold and everywhere.It looked like some one spray painted the whole thing. Should I try to clean all of my connections on the sol. off, or leave that stuff on. I keep my boat stored inside and we stay on fresh water, so I dont think I would have much corrosion. Thanks for your time

 

[tommays]

Re: Trim Dead on Alpha 1

its called liquid electric tape should be able to get a bottel at merc dealer for 5 to 7 dollars it is a must use item to keep good connections<br /><br />if your going to clean the connections be sure to disconect the battery ground (-) wire before doing any work<br /> there are a lot of + and - connections very close to each other and your wrench will be very easy to touch between a + and - if you work on the connections live <br /><br />they really cant be to clean after everything is clean and you get the pump working again you need to give each connection 2 or 3 coats of liquid tape or they will get corrosion again very fast even in fresh water<br /><br />tommays