1978 OMC 800 trim and tilt problems

[Spivy30]

I recently purchased a 1978 24' Cruisers with a OMC 800 and 235hp Ford V8. The boat is very clean and orginal but the trim doesnt work and the tilt doesnt work. The boat has two good batteries in it and they will start the engine no problem but when I hit either switch all I hear are the solenoids clicking. I think its odd since they are seperate systems but they do the samething. Maybe i'm doing something wrong? Both systems just click when you hit the switches up or down.

Thank you for your help

 

[floattest]

Re: 1978 OMC 800 trim and tilt problems

You are probably going to have to replace one or more of your tilt/trim solenoids. But you should start by cleaning really good, all the connectors and the post, sand or wirebrush and use grease (dielectric) to reassemble. After all connections are good verify battery power with a gauge or meter. Then lastly make sure the tilt mechanicals are good. The trunnions also need grease. Make sure there is oil in the tilt clutch housing. And lastly, good luck with your OMC drives. I have owned one for 4 years and now it is very solid. It took a lot of work to get there.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 1978 OMC 800 trim and tilt problems

I take it that the outdrive is in the down position?

 

[shrowder1979]

Re: 1978 OMC 800 trim and tilt problems

i've been dealing with the same issue on my 77 mirrocraft. the tilt motors wouldn't work. the solenoids clicked but nothing happened. take a volt meter to the plug before the motor and put one lead to a terminal in the plug the other to ground. make sure u have 12v there. it u do, most likely the motors are shot. thats what happened to mine. the housing leaked and water locked up the motor. good luck!!

 

[metalwizard]

Re: 1978 OMC 800 trim and tilt problems

Heres What I would do.. if you hear the solenoids Clicking, then there is a really good chance they are ok. But they are easy to check.

There are 3 wires on each solenoid. VERY easy to test.

there is Power in from the battery. (should have 12 volts all the time. or at least when the key is on)

There is a trigger wire. that is Power from the tilt or trim switch. should be the SMALLEST wire on the Solenoid. then Battery OUT to Motor.

First click your switch and feel all the solenoids. (if you hear clicking) when you find the one that is clicking. use a test light and test all the two big terminals. one should be hot all the time one should NOT be hot. now put your test light on the small wire. click the switch again.. the light should light up.. if it does you wiring is basically good. Now teat light on the big wire that was NOT hot. click the tilt/trim switch again... does the light come on?? if yes the solenid is GOOD. if NO then the solenoid is bad. time to change it.

If they are good, then most likely the Motors are bad.. it happens pretty easy they get wet corrode and its all over.

If they are bad take the motor(s) off there is either 2 or 3 wires going to them.. should be a blue, a Green and if they have 3 wires a Black.

You can test the motor off the boat by connecting the black wire to the Negative on your battery, HOLD THE MOTOR TIGHT WITH A TOWEL OR GLOVES then touch the blue OR Green wire to the positive.. do they spin now??? Green should spin one way blue should spin the other.. if they dont spin MOTOR TIME... if they doo.. OUCH time to take the tilt/trip mechanics apart they are siezed up for some reason..

Hope that helps out!!

 

[VERV]

Re: 1978 OMC 800 trim and tilt problems

I had the same problem and what mine was was the strator in the electric motor was corrodid. I took it apart and sanded down the coppler contacts with 1000 grit and now it works just fine.