Trim problems...Where do I start?

[imported_Captain Morgan]

I have an 88' Wellcraft 17' I/O 130Hp ski boat. I have only had it out 2 times since I bought it. Last time out I could not get it above 29mph. I had this problem when I first took it out but learned that the trim brought my speed up to 39mph. I had more of a load this time so thought that was all I would get, but then took it out by myself and played with the trim to no avail. I tried to diagnos the problem on the trailer at home but don't know where to go from here. I opened up the trim/throttle control and verified that I'm getting 12vdc in to the control switch and out when I push the trim button up. I don't hear anything going on with the trim motor. *Note: I cannot drop the motor all the way down when on the street because the outdrive makes contact with the street before it reaches full down position. I was able to get the drive up when hitting the trailer button though. Any thoughts on where I should go from here? I'm thinking I need to park the trailer on some wood blocks to raise it so that I can get the drive to come all the way down.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trim problems...Where do I start?

Can you lower the tounge to the ground and get the back end up enough?
Are you saying the trailer button is the only one working and not the trim itself?
What engine and drive setup do you have?
The 12 volts thru the control handle does not mean the pump is getting power.The trim solenoids could be faulty or have corroded connection..

 

[imported_Captain Morgan]

Re: Trim problems...Where do I start?

It's strange, but I do have the tounge jack all the way down and I still can't drop the drive all the way down. I believe it's the original trailer to the boat. At this point the trailer button is the only thing that will bring up the drive. The trim up button did work on my last outing, but doesn't seem to now. I have a 3.0L Mercruiser with an Alpha I outdrive. Where do I look next now that I know I have 12vdc leaving the trim button? Where are the trim solenoids you refered to? I do have what I believe to be the trim pump and resevoir under the rear seat. Should I be looking there? I don't have an electrical schematic for it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trim problems...Where do I start?

The solenoids are usually mounted somewhere around the engine.you should have at least 2 of them.they have 2 wire terminals on the back of each one.All the switch does is tell the solenoids when to work.
Look here and scroll down to the second one...
http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/electrical_system_solenoid.html

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim problems...Where do I start?

Click here and start on page 1C-11 for troubleshooting your trim system. There is also wiring diagrams.