Mercruiser Trim Problem

[imported_SEAHORSE1]

I have an 88' Mercruiser 3.0 with an Alpha 1 drive. On my controls I have a trim switch, a simple toggle up and down. The down works great however, the up doesnt, I can only raise the unit by the tilt switch on the dash. Could the switch just be bad on the controls, or should i look deeper? If the switch is bad, does anyone know where to find just the toggle for the morse side mount unit. made in the 80's, standard unit? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

I would suspect a bad trim limit switch on the side of the outdrive - or bad wiring from the switch. A very common problem. Most people simply bypass the trim limit switch and jumper the connection at the back of the boat. If you do that, just be aware that it is then possible to trim the outdrive up too far while underway.

 

[imported_SEAHORSE1]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

I would suspect a bad trim limit switch on the side of the outdrive - or bad wiring from the switch. A very common problem. Most people simply bypass the trim limit switch and jumper the connection at the back of the boat. If you do that, just be aware that it is then possible to trim the outdrive up too far while underway.

Thank you for the advice. Is there a way to check to see if the switch on the controls is also faulty. The down side of the rocker switch works great, but not up. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

or should i look deeper?.

Ayuh,..............Deeper,+ Much Farther Back,.......

As Fishermark says,..........

It's Not the switch on your controller..........

It's the Limit Switch on the Outdrive..........

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

Go ahead and jumper the wires together back at the transom, (I did it on mine, and it's easy to do... unfortunately I don't remember specifically how to tell you to do it - someone else can chime in, or do a search). After jumping / tying the wiress together, the switch should work on the handle. If not - then you can assume the switch is bad on the handle. But I think you will find it to be the limit switch. (Especially since "Noah" agrees with me! d )

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

Your best bet is to troubleshoot the system and first find out what the problem is. Then deicide rather you want to fix it properly, or try something different.
Below is a link to the online Merc service manual for your drive.
Section 1C can be used for troubleshooting as can section 5 A,B, or C depending on type of trim pump you have. It also includes plenty of detailed drawing and explanitons of the process of troubleshooting.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[omgitzdave]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

I have this same problem. Trim down works great, but Trim up doesn't work at all. Tilt up and down work as they should. Can someone tell me specifically where to look to find the limit switch?

 

[omgitzdave]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

Nevermind.. looks like Don S beat me to it! Thanks Don!

 

[sker crunch]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

There is one on each side of the outdrive. Litte round disks with 2 wires coming out of each one. Wires go through the transom into the trim pump.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

There is one on each side of the outdrive. Litte round disks with 2 wires coming out of each one. Wires go through the transom into the trim pump.

Just to clarify - there is only one trim limit switch. The other "round disc" on the other side is the sender for the trim gauge.

 

[sker crunch]

Re: Mercruiser Trim Problem

Thanks for clarifying. I knew one was a lmit and one was a sender but not which one was on which side so I just went general.