Trim not working!

[smithrock]

1985 Mercruiser - so I trailered the boat from the ramp today and the guy next me says " your outdrive is still down". I'm thinking "huh, what?" So I hit the trim switch and nothing! ( It was working fine all day in the water) So I had to disconnect it and tie up the out drive to get her home. So as I was flushing out the motor, I try the switch again- it went! Only for a moment though. I could hear the motor. Then it would stop. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

 

[bspeth]

Re: Trim not working!

Check your electrical connections.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim not working!

Does your trailer switch work?

 

[RollinEarly99]

Re: Trim not working!

Trim pump possibly on its way out... Mine was doing the same thing and I was using a jumper wire at the solenoids. How's your fluid level?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim not working!

Ayuh,.... Sounds like corroded wirin' connections,...

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Trim not working!

Smith... if your wire connections look ok, fluid is good, I would agree with Rollin.. sounds like your trim motor is on the way out. When you push your trim switch,, if you hear a clicking, sometimes the motor will stick, give the motor housing a whack with a wrench or something while someone is activating that switch, sometimes that will free it up...however.. that is a sign that your motor is going bad. Last week my 3.0 liter,, Alpha One trim motor died also.. I was having the same issues you described. It stuck a month ago, whacked it going again.. finally died.. if you are buying a new motor, plan on about $400-500 for it. Look on the bright side, it's fixed... since almost all failures happen on the water..not being able to bring your drive up for transport is something no boater would wish on anohter... put another trim motor on and be done with it. I was fishing on the St Lawrence River last weekend, mine died, had no idea how to replace it. Figured it's got to be "plug and play". It was.. kind of hard to get at,, but not hard to install, good luck!

 

[smithrock]

Re: Trim not working!

Thanks guys! I'm gonna take a look at it today, hopefully it is just the wiring. I'll post back with my findings
On the fluid, what type does it take? My drive is an Alpha One

 

[Chris_94_Sprint_TX]

Re: Trim not working!

When you pop off the connector at the trim pump use a little bit of fine sandpaper or emory cloth to clean the terminals then apply a little bit of dielectric grease. You can get it rom autozone for about a dollar (battery terminal protector). While the connector is unplugged check the terminals (I had a similar issue and discovered one of the terminals were bent just enough to make a "poor" connection. Also, Check the type of fluid, make sure its hydraulic fluid and not transmission fluid or other alternative, these fluid will not hold the pressure required to lift the outdrive (up to 2200psi on lifting and around 600psi on lowering). Make sure to flush the system if it has substandard fluid in it. I used Lucas Hydraulic fluid from Autozone on mine and it works great. If you were closer I'd give you some on mine since I have so much left over.

Chris

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Trim not working!

SAE 30 W. or 5-30 will be fine

 

[smithrock]

Re: Trim not working!

Ok, checked the fluid level and its where it should be. Started feeling around and looking for loose connections or abnormal corrosion. I did move a few wires and now the unit seems to be working just fine! . I sprayed some contact cleaner on the connections, hooked it back up to the out drive, raised and lowered several times, and she seems to be working just fine.
Not sure really what I did, if anything! that part bothered me more because I can't really put my finger on something I specifically did to correct the problem! Oh well, I guess I should be happy it's working! :clap2:

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Trim not working!

If you moved some wires and its working now....then you have a loose or corroded conection.

If it happen once it will happen again........take all the concections off one by one and clean and inspect/ reassemble.

Ill bet you find the one.

Just what id do.....Good Luck!

 

[Chris_94_Sprint_TX]

Re: Trim not working!

Sometimes just moving a wire can pin point a problem. Like Checkmate said, There is a corroded wire or connection somewhere. Clean all terminals and spray protectant on them.

Chris

 

[Volphin]

Re: Trim not working!

Sometimes I get so aggravated at the connectors I just cut all the wires and solder them together. Then I protect them with heat shrink tubing. I know it's cheap for OEs to use these connectors and easy to assemble, but corrosion finds it's way into everywhere!

 

[Chris_94_Sprint_TX]

Re: Trim not working!

I know what you mean, I am the same way sometimes. They have a spray at napa especially for electrical connections, you can also use a good petroleum jelly on them. It will reduce the moistures ability to get in by occupying the space.

Chris

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim not working!

I know what you mean, I am the same way sometimes. They have a spray at napa especially for electrical connections, you can also use a good petroleum jelly on them. It will reduce the moistures ability to get in by occupying the space.

Chris

Ayuh,..... I've always got a gun fulla Grease somewhere near by,....

I use plain ole chassis Grease on most everything,......

Well Greased battery terminals, will Not corrode, period,....
Ditto any other things ya Grease up,....

The draw-back is ya wanta have a rag handy whenever ya workin' on things,...

 

[smithrock]

Re: Trim not working!

True! I've used grease before on electrical connections. I'm gonna clean 'em up a bit, tighten 'em down then slap a little battery/corrosion protection on them. Thanks for the help everyone! :thumb:

 

[Chris_94_Sprint_TX]

Re: Trim not working!

I usually have some Vaseline handy. I learned it from a old timer mechanic I worked with while I was in college for it. Good ole boy new how to work on Diesel, boats, and pretty much anything that could be driven. He put that stuff on everything.

Chris