Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

[krachts2]

I have a a 2005 Alpha 1 mercruiser 3.0 and I have used the motor three times since buying it and had no issues until last night. I have checked the batteries for plenty of power but I do not know what else to check. The motor will lower all of the way and then raise about a quarter of the way and then it just shuts off. I makes no noises at all. You are jsut raising it and then all of a sudden it just quits. I cannot physically move the boat motor at all so it does not seem anything is loose. I am new to this and have been doing a lot of reading but I am not sure what to try next.

 

[Don S]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

The boats motor is bolted down and shouldn't move at all. That thing hanging on the back of the boat is called an outdrive. and it does go up and down.
When trimming up, there is a trim limit switch that stops the drive when you are trimming it. I think your model throttle control has a 2 positon up switch. Push it the first click and the drive only goes up to the trim limit. Continue pushing the up control and it will have a second click that trailers the drive all the way up.

 

[krachts2]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

The outdrive just stops at the same point no matter how many times you push the switch. I can lower it all the way and then when I start to push the button up it runs great and sound good until it gets to the same point and it just shuts off. no matter how many times I push the button after that it still will not go up any further.

 

[KidFloater]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

Hey Krachts, same thing happened to me. I have a Alpha 1 outdrive. There are 2 round plastic discs one your outdrive, one on each side, they are about the size of a silver dollar, you'll see em. One of them I think it's the one on the right side is the trim position indicator. The other one is the switch you need to look at. Take the cover off, requires a regular phillips screwdriver. Inside is a electronic deal, make sure it's clean, not covered with grease. You can clean/ inspect it easily. After that put it back together and see how the outdrive trims up and down now. This takes about 5 minutes to do. Hopefully it will work, otherwise you probably have to replace it and that will be a bear!
GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

That would be your "trim limit", locate the "trailer" switch.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

The outdrive just stops at the same point no matter how many times you push the switch.

That is what is supposed to do. It is the trim limit. This keeps you from trimming up too much when the boat is underway. Just for the heck of it: Trim all the way down, then back up till it stops. Measure center to center on the bolts that hold one of the trim cylinders on. Should be 20 3/4 inches. If it is then your trim limit switch is working and properly adjusted. I am not familiar with your control, but it seems that your trailer (all the way up) switch is not working. Need to download the manuals to troubleshoot.

 

[krachts2]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

I only have one switch on my controls and it stops at the point I mentioned before. As for the trim limit I measured and I got the measurement I needed. Can the switch go bad and it will only control it to a certain limit?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

then look for the "trailer switch" Got to be another there someplace

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

I only have one switch on my controls and it stops at the point I mentioned before. As for the trim limit I measured and I got the measurement I needed. Can the switch go bad and it will only control it to a certain limit?

OK, you have two up functions on your control. When you push the up TRIM the current goes through the TRIM LIMIT SWITCH, and when you get to a certain point (20 3/4 inches) the limit switch will turn off the trim pump. The TRAILER function (wherever that is on your control) bypasses the trim limit switch and the outdrive will continue to go all the way up. Apparently your trailer function is not working. Try this: Find the trim limit wires in the stern of the boat. Two black wires that go into a connector with purple/ white and blue/ white wires. Unplug, and jumper across from one side of the plug to the other. Try trim, should go all the way up. If so, trailer function not working (switch or wire).

 

[krachts2]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

Ignore this post sorry

 

[krachts2]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

Ok I jumped the wires and the unit went all of the way up like stated so I am assuming I have an issue with the switch. Now my next question is how to fix this problem and how big of an ordeal is this. Is this something I can do or do I need to seek outside help?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

how to fix this problem and how big of an ordeal is this. Is this something I can do or do I need to seek outside help?

The easy way: You already did it. You only need to bring the outdrive all the way up when you trailer the boat (no need for it on the water). make up a little jumper wire to use when you need it, plug the wires back in for use on the water. Short wire with a couple of clips, keep it handy. In the meantime go up to "adults only", #9, download "Throttle and Shift controls all". Will tell you how to service your control. Should be able to DIY. Good luck

 

[krachts2]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

Ok last question and thanks for all of your help I really appreciate it. Can this cause anymore damage by jumping it this way? Once again thank you for all of your help it is greatly appreciated

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Motor will only tilt up about a quarter of the way

Can this cause anymore damage by jumping it this way? Once again thank you for all of your help it is greatly appreciated

No. When you jumper it, you are just doing what the "trailer" switch does. From the diagram: When you push the trim up, the current flows through the P/W wire through the trim limit switch to the connector and the B/W wire to the pump relay. The trailer switch sends current directly to the B/W wire, through the connector to pump relay. Your problem is either the switch is not working properly or you have a broken B/W wire between the switch and connector.