1985 235 hp Johnson outboard tilt/trim

[Ryan29]

My situation is this, I bought this boat last year, and have had a few problems with the motor. My most recent problem is that my tilt/trim will not work. I have tried charging both batteries in the boat, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery wires, and just can not get the motor to rise and lower. I hit the red button on the throttle, and there isn't even a noise saying it's trying to work. I had the boat out maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago and it sort of worked then. I was able to raise it to take the transom saver off, and then lower it when I put the boat in the water. Started up the motor, took it for a short drive out of the harbor with no problems, then when I reached a speed of about 10 mph and tried to trim the boat, it would not trim and the motor would not rise. I slowed down, and could raise and keep the motor lifted, but as soon as I went faster, the motor would drop. I had just moved my boat to my new home, and tried to lower the motor and it will not move at all. there is no noise, no movement, and i lifted the motor to try and take the transom saver off and it stayed up, then when i moved it again, the motor dropped and is stuck in the down position. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. or at least some ideas to try and raise the motor till i can take it to a mechanic. Thanks in advance.



Ryan

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1985 235 hp Johnson outboard tilt/trim

If the trim is inoperative and you must move the engine up or down, there is a manual bypass valve screw which can be accessed on the starboard side transom bracket. Crack the screw open slightly and you can raise or lower the engine by hand-not an easy process, but it works. When running at tilt angles, the engine should be operated at idle only. If you attempt to apply power when running at tilt positions-the horsepower of the engine will force itself downward to the full trim angle (onto the two trim shafts.) You did not mention if you had checked/replaced either of the trim relays. There is one for up, the other for down. If these are not functioning, the system will not operate.

 

[Ryan29]

Re: 1985 235 hp Johnson outboard tilt/trim

Thanks for the advice, and no, i haven't even touched the wires. The reason i found it wierd that the motor would drop after reaching a certain speed is because last year, i was able to raise the motor to sort of flatten out the front of the boat and go for a while, but this last time, it just kept falling. I will try looking at these wires. Thanks again. I think this may be a job for a mechanic.

 

[Ryan29]

Re: 1985 235 hp Johnson outboard tilt/trim

little bump to keep it up top. anybody know how to fix this? i don't have a lot of money to spend right now taking this to a mechanic. Thanks

 

[Ryan29]

Re: 1985 235 hp Johnson outboard tilt/trim

ok, being me, i pulled everything apart today. I reconnected all the wires, checked all the fuses, switched batteries, made sure everything worked, and then prayed like crazy the motor would rise. I hit the button, and i heard a clicking noise, but the motor would not go up. What would be the next course of action? Thanks in advance.

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1985 235 hp Johnson outboard tilt/trim

the next thing is first thing I would have done ,

order the factory service manual
www.outboardbooks.com
theres 40 plus pages dedicated to the trim system.

second thing, fill the tilt fluid reservoir.
Then bleed the system.

Before you ask , its in the manual.