88 Alpha one trim problem

[sterudpa]

i have an 88 alpha one, and the trim button does not raise the outboard. I can lower it with the button, but when i try to trim it up, the motor does not even kick in. I can push the trailer button and it will raise the motor, so i know that the trim is not shot. Any ideas about where to look for the short? I see 4 wires coming from the button that goes to the tilt/trim motor.

 

[tskm2001]

Re: 88 Alpha one trim problem

Your problem is the trim limit switch on the gimbal ring. You have two hockey puck looking things on the gimbal ring of the outdrive. One is the trim sender which drives the needle on your gauge if equipped. The other is the trim limit, which keeps you from trimming the drive up too far and out of the water. When the trim limit switch fails the drive always thinks it is in the full up position, so it will not allow the trim motor to function in this direction. Your trailer button bypasses the the trim limit and is wired directly to the motor so that is why it will raise with the trailer button. The limit and sender must be replaced as a pair and you have to pull the drive to do the work. You can get them from you Mercury dealer of companies like Sierra sell them also.

 

[sterudpa]

Re: 88 Alpha one trim problem

the entire drive has to be pulled to do the work?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 88 Alpha one trim problem

You do not need to pull the outdrive to repair it. There are two stainless phillips screws that hold the cover over the trim limit switch. Remove those and replace it. You will need to butt join the wires and waterproof them.

A better idea is to bypass the trim limit switch. Find where it plugs into the trim pump harness, near the pump, unplug the trim limit swtch and I think yu can simply connect the two bullet connectors.

 

[sterudpa]

Re: 88 Alpha one trim problem

thanks for your help guys, you got me in the right direction. I am going to pick the "pucks" up next week and see how it goes.