Tilt/trim stopped working

[jd_1598]

Boats a 1989 Wellcraft 4.3 cobra outdrive.

Went out boating/tubing this weekend and stopped to have lunch, and when we returned to play.... the outdrive would not go down...just a click at the solenoid. I can use the manual release screw to lower the drive which is good, and the switch works to raise the drive just fine.

Thanks Jim

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

First thing to try is check all the connections at the solenoids.Take them loose one at a time and clean them all up.

 

[jd_1598]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

thanks Gary, I'll give it a shot. when I push the down switch it just click... so the solenoid is working ...yes.
thanks
Jim

 

[Don S]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

when I push the down switch it just click... so the solenoid is working

No, that just means the solenoid is clicking.
Check it with a meter to verify it is working and actually pulling in and you have power on BOTH large terminals.

 

[jd_1598]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

thanks Don, I will try that this afternoon and get back to you.
Jim

 

[jd_1598]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

This is just FYI stuff,

I went out to check the power to both posts to the solenoid, the top post had power all the time and the second post only when the down switch was activated..... I thiught that was how the solenoid works so I followed the wires, the black to the other solenoid, and the green to a black connector plug....with black electrician tape wrapped around it. I unwrap the connector thinking that there was a short or something,nothing unusual so I push on the connector to connect an wiggle to make a good connection and try drive down switch and low behold the switch works up and down. So the electric tape on the connector was masking a bad conection. I will make good connectiona go from there thanks for everyones help.

Jim

 

[wire2]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

I expect if you look closely at the connector that was taped, you'll find some corrosion. Being an electrical connection, even a small amount of moisture will allow electrolysis to take place. Keeping both moisture and oxygen off electric connections is very beneficial.
I recommend getting a tube of silicone grease (not caulking), unplug the connector, fill the plastic cavity with the grease, then plug & unplug the 2 halves several times, then leave it together. The repeated sliding in/out will wear off the existing corrosion and give you a sound connection. Then, wipe off excess grease but don't tape it, that just keeps condensation in. The silicone grease is very water resistant. It also works well on battery posts.

 

[RICHY1151]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

I Recently Purchased 1975 Galaxie Omc 4 Cylinder Gm 140 Hp. Have Used Boat About 2 Hours. Trim Did Not Work And Tilt Did Work. I Put The Boat In The Water ,tilt Didnt Work At All. I Thougt I Might Have Hit Something,i Felt A Bump On The Boat. I Am Very New, First Boat For Me. Can Any One Give Info. On This Problem. Thanks Richy1151.

 

[Don S]

Re: Tilt/trim stopped working

Best to start a new thead with your question Richy1151, this thread is about jd 1598's problem.
2 different questions, by 2 different people makes it almost impossible to figure out who is talking to who.