87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

[O-man]

Hey guys,

I'm hoping you can help me figure this thing out! I have a 1987 88 spl with s/n# J88MSLCUS with an attached OEM power tilt/trim. Anyways, the motor went out on me and I need to replace it but I don't know which aftermarket motor I should buy. I know its a 2 wire motor but do I need to replace the reservoir also or just leave that alone? Also, do I need to take the engine off to get the motor out? Its has 3 screws holding it down and I see absolutely no way to get to the 3rd screw hugged up against the transom. Please help me out!

Thanks,
O-man

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Welcome to iboats. Are you absolutely certain that the motor is shot? How did you troubleshoot it? IF you decide that the motor must be replaced, it is much cheaper to have it rebuilt. Most alternator / starter repair shops can handle this, or call your local BRP dealer to see if they can reccomend one. If it is too badly water damaged to rebuild, you need just replace the motor alone. You can remove it by unbolting the steering, the port side stern bracket, sliding it to the left, then sliding the TNT unit out. The outboard motor will not need to be removed. Here is one site of many where you will find the motors. Good luck.

maxrules.com

 

[O-man]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Thanks for the replay Hightrim. Yes, I have had issues with the tilt/trim motor before. It was my fault, I left the boat plug in and it rained enough to fill it up past the relay box on the inside of the boat. It corroded the selonoids and I had to get them replaced. Well it happened a second time and I thought it was the relays but when I replaced them it didn't fix it. So I hooked up the motor wires directly to the battery (blue/green) wires straight to +- on battery terminals bypassing the relay box and I would hear a faint whirring/grinding sound and that would be it, so I figured it was the motor this time.

 

[O-man]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Does anyone know what the OMC# on this part would be so I can match it up with a remanufactured? Thanks.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Before you replace it remove it from the manifold and try wiring it direct again, if it is still slow, you will need to replace it. If it now runs normal, look to the oil pump. Also, I would look to getting it rebuilt as stated, it will be MUCH cheaper.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Im pretty sure you will need the PT 301NM, posted on this page, about $135

"http://www.maxrules.com/fixomctrim.html"

 

[O-man]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Yeah i noticed those prices on maxrules. $600 for a rebuilt! Yikes! I'm going to take your advice and just remove it and let a repair shop take a look at it before I unload any cash like that. I mihgt have to do the ol' manual tilt for a year or two before plunking down that kind of cash!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

You would not need the whole rebuilt unit though, just the motor. About 135 bucks. Rebuilding it will be cheaper still, with the same results. Im sure if it is partially trying to run it is not too water logged to rebuild. I have had some rebuilds cost 10 bucks, and some 100, depending on the severity.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Trace the wires back from the electric motor to the electric motor's connector. Disconnect at that point. Clean any corrossion from the connector wiring terminals.

Using the same quality/size gauge wire that the electric motor is equipped with, run two jumper wires directly from the battery to the two electric PTT motor wires.

Having the jumper wires connected to those two electric motor wires should make the PTT operate in one direction. Reversing the jumper wires should make it run in the opposite direction.

Assuming that the battery is good and fully charged, if the problem still exists, then it's fair to say that the electric motor is faulty, in which case, replace it.

The OMC/Bombardier part number is 394176 but has an outrageous price.

When time permits, visit my store (copy/paste) at: stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

He did that step Joe, in his second response, and only got a faint whirring sound.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

HighTrim..... Yes, I'm aware of that. I repeated that test in detail just in case corrosion of the contacts were overlooked that would result in a voltage drop. It's implied that the junction box went under a second time and this is when it appears that the electric motor went out.... that seems strange as the electric motor is exposed to water constantly anyhow.

I just thought it would be worth a second check befor going that to replace the electric motor route.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

I see, ty, this is why I pick your brain, to learn

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 87 Johnson 88 special tilt help!

Which reminds me of a old vulgar (sort of) saying:

You can pick your friends, or you can pick your nose. But if you can pick a friend that will pick your nose, then you've picked a friend indeed. (Couldn't resist.. grin)