84 omc stringer, 5.7, selecttrim motor

[Tydog96]

Working on control switch and had been trimming engine with screwdriver between posts of solenoids to adjust engine for fuel and oil work. All of a sudden, trim quit. Got good power coming out of solenoid (both up and down). Worried about trim motor replacement hassle. BUT, noticed trim gauge showing engine in down position (wrong). Two wire connector to motor almost impossible to get to.

Any other potential problem keeping trim motor from working related to that gauge now not being correct maybe? I REALLY don't want to tear down the whole back of the boat upholstery framework and drain trim fluids and remove unit! Hoping issue somewhere else......

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 84 omc stringer, 5.7, selecttrim motor

common for that trim motor to die - brushes get gunked up and commutator bars get coated with carbon and grit.

You can probably rap on the motor with a heavy screwdriver handle and it will go again - but that's not the fix. If you have some knowledge or desire to learn about DC motors, you can disassemble it and clean the commutator with emery cloth and then trace the lines between with a seal pick and get another decade out of it.
Or take it to a place that fixes motors - vacuum cleaners or starter motors or whatever.

 

[Tydog96]

Re: 84 omc stringer, 5.7, selecttrim motor

Thanks HS! A couple of taps did it! I believe I'll let it get me through what is left of summer. If it quits at lake, it's not like I can't get back to trailer.