Trim Pump Guru's . . .

[tpenfield]

Yea, so I installed the outdrive last night and connected the trim rams. Of course, the rams were all the way extended, so I had to lift the outdrive all the way up to connect them.

I went to lower the outdrive and the trim pump ran, but it would not retract the rams. It seems like it wants to go up, but not down. I tried a variety of forceful things on the outdrive, just in case it needed a little persuasion, but no go.

Fluid level is good. I believe the pump is Mercruiser trim pump # 865380A13

So, tonight, I'll check out the electrical connections, etc.

BUT, before I do, I wanted to make sure I understand the workings of the pump, etc. Is it pump motor plus 2 valves/solenoids for raise/lower?

My thinking is that the 'lower' solenoid is not paying attention when I press the down button on the trim switch panel.

Engine specifics are in my sig. below. TIA for any insight on the inner workings of the pump.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

Yea, so I installed the outdrive last night and connected the trim ramps. Of course, the rams were all the way extended, so I had to lift the outdrive all the way up to connect them.

I went to lower the outdrive and the trim pump ran, but it would not retract the rams. It seems like it wants to go up, but not down. I tried a variety of forceful things on the outdrive, just in case it needed a little persuasion, but no go.

Fluid level is good. I believe the pump is Mercruiser trim pump # 865380A13

So, tonight, I'll check out the electrical connections, etc.

BUT, before I do, I wanted to make sure I understand the workings of the pump, etc. Is it pump motor plus 2 valves/solenoids for raise/lower?

My thinking is that the 'lower' solenoid is not paying attention when I press the down button on the trim switch panel.

Engine specifics are in my sig. below. TIA for any insight on the inner workings of the pump.

Ayuh,... If the trim pump is Runnin', it Ain't an electrical problem...

More likely, the rams are seized...

The pump builds a higher pressure goin' Up, than down,...
Reverse the lines to get it Down, then switch 'em back to where they belong...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

1+, reverse them at the pump, hit the up button, start jumping downward on the drive,once free reverse the lines

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

OK, thanks. . . Just a follow up question, as I just took a look at the wiring diagram. There is a green/white and a blue/white wire leading from the solenoids to the pump motor - (i. e. One has the green and the other has the blue). So, to me, this would mean that the pump motor spins in opposite directions for up versus down, corresponding to your answer that if the pump is going, it is a mechanical issue.

Does the pump motor spin in opposite directions, or is there also a valve that is getting activated by the green or blue wires?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

OK, thanks. . . Just a follow up question, as I just took a look at the wiring diagram. There is a green/white and a blue/white wire leading from the solenoids to the pump motor - (i. e. One has the green and the other has the blue). So, to me, this would mean that the pump motor spins in opposite directions for up versus down, corresponding to your answer that if the pump is going, it is a mechanical issue.

Does the pump motor spin in opposite directions, or is there also a valve that is getting activated by the green or blue wires?

Ayuh,... That's how it works,... Blue sky, Up,.. Green grass, Down...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

Does the pump motor spin in opposite directions, or is there also a valve that is getting activated by the green or blue wires?

Ayuh,... That's how it works,... Blue sky, Up,.. Green grass, Down...

So looks like my question is . . . which is it?

Merely the pump motor spinning in the opposite direction . . . up versus down,

or

does the pump motor always spin in the same direction and the up/down is accomplished by some internal/electrically activated valves of some sort?

Sorry for the repetition.

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

The motor reverses direction for up to down.

Here is the manual for the Bravo drive http://www.4shared.com/office/STs1zk2r/11__Bravo_Drives_88-98.html?
There is a section dedicated to the trim system, also at the troubleshooting section.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

Awesome, thank you.

I 'll try swapping the hydraulic lines to see if I can get the thing to 'break loose' as has been suggested. Maybe next year, I'll remember to leave the rams in the retracted position over the winter. It seems like that might be better.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

Awesome, thank you.

I 'll try swapping the hydraulic lines to see if I can get the thing to 'break loose' as has been suggested. Maybe next year, I'll remember to leave the rams in the retracted position over the winter. It seems like that might be better.

Ayuh,.... Actually Ted, as per Don's advice,...

Merely tappin' the down button a couple of times, relieves the overload pressure, 'n keeps the valving from hangin' up like that...

Though leavin' the drive Down, is easier on the bellows, over the long haul...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

Ayuh,.... Actually Ted, as per Don's advice,...

Merely tappin' the down button a couple of times, relieves the overload pressure, 'n keeps the valving from hangin' up like that...

Though leavin' the drive Down, is easier on the bellows, over the long haul...

I remove the outdrive during the off season, so the bellows are not stretched . . . it is just that if I remove the pin that attaches the rams when the outdrive is in the trailer position (which I do fairly often), then the rams are extended for the winter . . . and perhaps that is why they don't want to contract once it is all back together.

I'll have to make sure the rams will contract . . . 'cuz I don't want to get to the launch ramp and be wondering if the outdrive will go down.

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

I'll have to make sure the rams will contract . . . 'cuz I don't want to get to the launch ramp and be wondering if the outdrive will go down.

What you should be doing, is checking your boat over before you head to the ramp.
Run the engine on muffs, to make sure it starts, runs, doesn't overheat, shifts, and make sure the trim works and the steering. Then head to the water. When you put the drive up for travel, put it up and bump the down switch for a second to relieve the excess pressure of the trim pump. It will still stay up.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trim Pump Guru's . . .

Of course . . . this evening, the outdrive went down no problem, without doing anything but hitting the button :facepalm:. It must have just needed a wake up call or something.