92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

[typewritertrew]

Hi guys, I posted a while back about my motor having some issues and thought they were resolved but apparently not. Anyway, I had to get towed in by the cops after a fuse went in the outboard, and I foolishly didn't have any spares. This happened after an unusual event with the trim - i was trimming in after moving from shallow to deep water, putting power on while it was still in tilt rather than trim - not heaps but apparently enough to overcome the motor. It clunked down to the trim section of tilt/trim and then went out to the fishing spot no worries.

I replaced the fuse after some fun getting it home and couldn't replicate any problems, until the fuse started randomly going, without any input or change from me, just battery connected. Intermittent short? ANyway I looked over all the wiring and couldnt find anything, and the tilt/trim works fine when hotwired to battery w/ 20 amp fuse. I took forward controls apart and put them back together, reconnected battery and tilt trim worked for a few days, then one day i tried putting the motor up and it was weak, then it just wouldnt move. I got a clicking sound when i hit the up switch, similar to choke engagement sound, i assume this is in the relays? Again I hotwired the tilt/trim system and it moved up and down very strongly. Port and starboard relays look fine. No fuses blew.

I cannot figure out where the problem is, all wires seem clean and connections strong. Help!

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

Also, how would I know if the relays are bad?

 

[RRitt]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

If original trim motor then it is 21 years old ... and about 6 years overdue. your motor could have internal rust which could cause your symptoms. if it was me, i would probably rig up a way to hotwire the motor with 10A, 15A, 20A, 25A ATC blade fuses and see exactly where the motor pops them.

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

If original trim motor then it is 21 years old ... and about 6 years overdue. your motor could have internal rust which could cause your symptoms. if it was me, i would probably rig up a way to hotwire the motor with 10A, 15A, 20A, 25A ATC blade fuses and see exactly where the motor pops them.

Yeah it's the original motor I'm pretty sure, but when I hotwire it it works really strong. I've only hotwired with a 20A fuse though, I'll try the others. Had no symptoms before that first incident i mentioned, however.

 

[RRitt]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

if it is lifting and lowering motor on a 20A hotwire, then motor is fine.
if it is on a bench without load then probably fine but can't be sure.

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

Yeah it's lifting the motor and seems to move really well. I might buy new relays and see if that does the trick.

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

Also, 30 or 40 amp relay?

 

[RRitt]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

it does not matter whether relay is 30 or 40. Both are more than needed.

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

Thanks mate. I think I'll replace the relays as it's relatively inexpensive and see if that sorts anything out. Cheers.

 

[RRitt]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

another possibility is that your circuit breaker has gotten old and no longer operates at correct amperage. If possible, splice in a 20A slo-blo and see if the breaker goes before the fuse.

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

I replaced both relays and I think that's done the trick - taking it out for a spin on Tuesday so we'll see how it goes. Cheers for the help.

 

[typewritertrew]

Re: 92 Force 90hp - tilt/trim problems, blowing fuses.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I finally figured out the real problem, and thought I'd not leave anyone in the future reading an incorrect answer.

Everything seemed fine after replacing the relays, and worked well through every test i could do on land - including starting it up. I took it out however and things went wrong after i shut it off for the first time. I replaced the fuse and we were on our way back, when as expected, the first fuel tank was emptied. I shut the engine off and went replaced the fuse, which instantly blew. No matter what was disconnected, the fuse always blew. Ended up calling our friendly water police as FOUR boats ignored us flashing torches and waving to them. Got a tow back, and pulled the electrics to bits again. this time, I pulled the entire control arm off the control box, and found my problem. Old owner (who was apparently a sparky!) had at one stage severed a wire up to the tilt switch, and soldered it back together with electrical tape outside it. The solder had a sharp point however, and poked through the tape and into another wire, causing the short OCCASIONALLY when the throttle was in neutral. The wires now go on the outside of the control box, as we couldn't find a way to put them back together without them being under pressure whilst moving the control arm.

Thanks for your help and ideas!