Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

[Augoose]

I have a '89 Mercruiser with Alpha 1.

I've been having an issue with intermittent elevation issues with raising the lower unit - intermittent with both trailer switch and toggle switch (limit switch is bypassed so I know that isn't the problem). It always goes down but is often reluctant to go up, so today I replaced the up solenoid.

Here is my issue - the boat was running tip top (except for raising the lower unit) before changing out the solenoid. Once I changed it out, the boat wouldn't start - just a click coming from what sounded like the starter solenoid. After this click, 12 v was completely dead to the ignition, forcing me to disconnect the battery. Once I disconnect and reconnect the battery lead, 12 v was back again until I tried to start - then just a single click and no voltage once again. I took pictures of the wiring setup prior to replacing the solenoid and I'm 100% positive I had everything hooked up right.

Thinking the new solenoid is bad (why that would keep the boat from starting I wasn't sure about), I put the original back in. Tried to start it up - same issue -click and then no power until I disconnected and reconnected the battery.

In total desperation and not knowing what else to do, I pressed on the shift lock release and rode the shifter forward once and back once, then back to neutral. Tried to start the boat - started right up.

I thought that if the shift interrupter switch was being triggered, the engine would turn over but there is just no spark- isn't that correct?

What else could it have been? Is there some sort of safety device that prevents the engine from even turning over? If it were somehow bumped into gear but still with the shifter "looking" like it was in neutral, would that prevent the engine from turning over and somehow tripping 12v? The main breaker on the wiring harness did not trip even once.

Please help me figure this out before the wife sells the boat out from under me!!!!!

Thanks and sorry to be so long winded.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

You have a neutral safety switch inside of the control unit. If you are not in neutral (handle cntered) you can not start the boat you get nothing, nada, zip zero. It is a switch that rides against a cam on the shift control arm. Yours may be a little touchy and have to be exactly centered to close the switch. It is in the yellow/red wire circuit going from the ignition to the slave solenoid.
P.S. Your throttle only button disengages the shift arm from the throttle handle and the neutral safety switch stays closed, so you can move the handle to give it "throttle only". Hope that is not too much info.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

For your trim problem, the up trim takes a lot more power, and a lot more current than down trim. Sounds almost like you have a bad connection (loose or corroded) somewhere. You might want to go through, right from the battery on and clean and tighten all of your electrical connections. Pay particular attention to ground connections. This wiring diagram may help: http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13E4R2.PDF This for the trim: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/articles/mercruiser-trim-wiring.aspx Good luck

 

[Augoose]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

You have a neutral safety switch inside of the control unit. If you are not in neutral (handle cntered) you can not start the boat you get nothing, nada, zip zero. It is a switch that rides against a cam on the shift control arm. Yours may be a little touchy and have to be exactly centered to close the switch. It is in the yellow/red wire circuit going from the ignition to the slave solenoid.
P.S. Your throttle only button disengages the shift arm from the throttle handle and the neutral safety switch stays closed, so you can move the handle to give it "throttle only". Hope that is not too much info.

Thanks for the clarification and it's never too much info! These forums are fantastic - professional mechanic (sometimes better) know-how for free! I'd be stupid not to learn as much as I can so I can help someone else down the road.

So that was probably the issue - while I was moving seats around and whatnot, I probably bumped the shift control arm, sending that cam into the dead mode. Is it a relay that trips and causes the 12v system to disconnect?

 

[Augoose]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

For your trim problem, the up trim takes a lot more power, and a lot more current than down trim. Sounds almost like you have a bad connection (loose or corroded) somewhere. You might want to go through, right from the battery on and clean and tighten all of your electrical connections. Pay particular attention to ground connections. This wiring diagram may help: http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13E4R2.PDF This for the trim: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/articles/mercruiser-trim-wiring.aspx Good luck

Thanks for that as well. I had previously gone through all the connections at the solenoids - up and down, as well as the limit switch bypass which I only wired up a few weeks ago. I think it is indeed the solenoid as when I jump the two terminals, the motor starts running. However, its certainly worth checking again. Thank you!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

No relay, just switch, #26 Here on what I think may be Your control: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...r=50&bdesc=REMOTE+CONTROL+ASSY+(W/POWER+TRIM) While we are at it here are the guts (I think): http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...ng&inbr=1989&bnbr=40&bdesc=MODULAR+COMPONENTS That is for a side mount commander control, what I have on my 87.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

No relay, just switch, #26 Here on what I think may be Your control: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...r=50&bdesc=REMOTE+CONTROL+ASSY+(W/POWER+TRIM) While we are at it here are the guts (I think): http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...ng&inbr=1989&bnbr=40&bdesc=MODULAR+COMPONENTS That is for a side mount commander control, what I have on my 87.

So its just a micro switch that kills all power in the event someone tries to start it in gear? Interesting. I'm relieved to hear that's what it was. The boat did start right back up normally on all subsequent starts, so hopefully the problem is solved. Thanks again for all the detals!

 

[Augoose]

Re: Trim pump solenoid question / starting issue

Thanks stonyloam for the help - I re-replaced the solenoid and the boat runs just fine now. Must have been that switch.
Thanks again