Trim won't lower on 93 Chris Craft OMC cobra outdrive

1972nova

Cadet
Joined
May 10, 2018
Messages
7
Got this boat, know nothing about it, haven't put it in the water yet, and I'm a newbie here too. Always had outboards. So the trim went up fine last winter when we winterized it, but won't budge when the down is pushed now. When you push up it sounds like it's working but of course it's up all the way. I have not been just holding down on the up button like an idiot, if that's what you're thinking. I'm wondering if an out drive has a manual release valve like the outboards I'm used to, and where is it? I looked, but nothing jumped out at and I had been checking this site out and thought maybe someone could help. Oh, the battery is fully charged and is good.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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50,803
get a friend about 250# to stand on it while you press the lower button. could be the load holding check valve is stuck
 

Bt Doctur

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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,412
Or go to the trim pump and reverse the hyd lines to lower the drive by using the "trim up" button. Trim up has a lot more pressure than trim down. Free the drive and reverse the lines to normal. AND never leave a drive stored in the full up or full down. Always hit the opposite button for a second to relieve the pressure
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,247
On the later Cobras they went to a combined relay pack/circuit breaker but I'd check the terminals for the down side (down=green wires, up=blue wires). I have the old style separate relays (preferred, very easy to check and replace) and corrosion gave me intermittent performance a few years back, a simple cleaning was all that was needed. The other thing is you could have a broken wire inside the remote control. If its an OMC style control with the trim piece in the middle of the handle, take that off and look at the wires, where they pass through the handle. They can wear through there. If you can disconnect the terminals for the up wiring at the relay pack, you can check for voltage at the small blue wire which should trigger the relay...
 

1972nova

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Joined
May 10, 2018
Messages
7
Thanks guys. I’m impressed how fast you guys fired back at me. Thanks! I will perform these tasks and get back. Thanks again.
 

1972nova

Cadet
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May 10, 2018
Messages
7
I’m still wondering if the outdrive has a manual release valve like my outboards do?
 

1972nova

Cadet
Joined
May 10, 2018
Messages
7
Again thanks guys for y'alls advice. Turns out it was just the trim switch. Funny how stuff can break when the boat is just sitting under wraps not even being used. So now it and I are ready to hit the water and we have 5 days of off and on rain here in Raleigh, NC. so I thought I'd get a manual and study up on the boat. Unfortunatly I'm not computer saavy and am having difficulty finding where to buy an owners manual and an engine manual. I'd much rather have books than a download. I have a 1993 Chris Craft Concept 218 Cabin with 5.0 fuel injected Crobra motor and an OMC outdrive. Please advise where to buy these manuals.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,247
There is actually a manual release on the Cobra trip pump, it is a screw on trim pump near where the hydraulic lines come out.
Cobra trim pump a.jpg
 
Last edited:

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,247
Owned it 16 years!
I went into my local outboard and I/O repair shop today to buy some tune up parts and they were like "you still have that boat!"....lol....
 
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