Merc 120 Trim Help

[Bdt 1967]

Hey all this will be my first post with this engine, I usually run outboards, but I figured I would try and IO again. My last IO was a Merc 140 with an alpha drive. This boat has a Merc 120 and an Alpha drive. Now for the question, this boats tilt/trim system is not working, I can push the button and the unit kicks on the motor starts running but nothing happens, I can lift the unit up without a whole lot of work, but the hydo system wont lift it, or lower it. I originally thought that possibly the unit was out of oil, but after searching for the tank for around 10 min I gave up. Any ideas?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Merc 120 Trim Help

go over here... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571 and get #6. confirm proper s/m by serial number.... it'll tell ya all about the facts.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 120 Trim Help

I originally thought that possibly the unit was out of oil,

Ayuh,.... I'd venture a WAGuess that you're Right......

 

[Bdt 1967]

Re: Merc 120 Trim Help

Well, I got the manual, went home found the pump, pulled the plug filled her with oil, pushed the button and up went the unit. Woot! Small victory! Pushed the button to make the unit go down, made a click but didn't turn on the motor, sounded like the solenoid worked but for some reason didn't turn the motor on to trim the unit down. I have 1 of 2 problems ( I think? ) It could either be that the solenoid is no good, or there is some kind of voodoo magic going on. I cant imagine it being the motor since it had no problem pushing the unit up, but maybe I am wrong. I also know that my old 140 merc used to do the same thing when the battery was dead/weak, and I did neglect to check that. Any thoughts?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Merc 120 Trim Help

Any thoughts?

sure, the trouble shooting guide in sec. C of the sm that ya just got.... many good suggestions and places to start to find the error, per the oem too...

and have yer battery tested too. ya can take it to a local auto parts store and they can load test it for you. find out it's good, ok, find out it's bad, replace it. everything on your boat requires a healthy battery. then start the trouble shooting...

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: Merc 120 Trim Help

Did you try pushing the down button a couple of times? Sometimes if they sit the contacts in the solenoid will get dirty and not make contact. Just pushing the button a couple of times can make it work. If not you need a test light and a manual to do a couple of simple tests to check the solenoid.


It sounds like the solenoid but instead of just throwing parts at it, It pays to test it.

 

[Bdt 1967]

Re: Merc 120 Trim Help

Yeah I tried that, It actually took a couple times to make the unit go up. The more I think about it the more it sounds like a solenoid, I have a test light and a manual so i will test that this weekend!