Trim solenoids, etc.

[kulle]

Question for all you experts: Could a loose ground on the solenoid bracket that affects the trim up/down be a factor why my boat randomly shuts off? I can't be sure, but I may be adjusting the trim when this happens. I know recently until i realized the ground was loose, my trim sometimes didnt want to work. This last time it stopped altogether, forcing me to look into it in more detail.

 

[greno]

Yes. I've had this happen. In fact it was when I was installing a Pertronix module. I hadn't run the 12v direct coil wire yet and the engine was idling and I hit the trim button and the engine immediately died. That all got fixed when I ran the direct 12v wire to the coil. You're stealing enough current from the engine that it causes the ignition to go out.

If you fixed the ground you should know right away once you put it in the water.

You might want to check your other grounds. Corrosion one place often means corrosion other places as well.

 

[alldodge]

Could a loose ground on the solenoid bracket that affects the trim up/down be a factor why my boat randomly shuts off?

Would be good to know what you have other then its a Merc

In my opinion, no, unless .... the loose connection was on the bolt which also is used to ground the battery. If it was just the ground lug on the trim pump frame only, then I don't think so.

With the ground being loose on the trim bracket, I would look real close at both the connections from the battery to starter and battery to block. Remove the cables and all lugs under them and clean to shinny metal. Try to look under the insulation jacket to see if there is any corrosion under it.

Also look close at the 10 pin engine connector, pull apart and look at pins

 

[achris]

Unless the wiring was done very very badly and someone tried to use the trim pump bracket as a common ground then no, a loose trim negative wouldn't have any effect on the engine.

Chris.....

 

[kulle]

Would be good to know what you have other then its a Merc

In my opinion, no, unless .... the loose connection was on the bolt which also is used to ground the battery. If it was just the ground lug on the trim pump frame only, then I don't think so.

With the ground being loose on the trim bracket, I would look real close at both the connections from the battery to starter and battery to block. Remove the cables and all lugs under them and clean to shinny metal. Try to look under the insulation jacket to see if there is any corrosion under it.

Also look close at the 10 pin engine connector, pull apart and look at pins

1993 4.3L- yeah I didnt think the trim bracket ground had anything to do with the ignition. I checked all the grounds i could see- i took the main 10 pin apart today also and everything looked nice and clean.

 

[kulle]

Unless the wiring was done very very badly and someone tried to use the trim pump bracket as a common ground then no, a loose trim negative wouldn't have any effect on the engine.

Chris.....

what i was thinking too- just hoping for the best, havent been able to run this POS since we bought it back in May-frustrating. I run it on a fake lake and wiggle everything i can see to make it fail. Only thing not changed is fuel pump and ICM on thunderbolt ign. But i'd suspect if fuel pump, id get sputtering and ICM wouldnt start?

 

[kulle]

Guess the easy test is to run it and disconnect the connections on that ground.