Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

[JustJason]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

I can't see how a prop hub could spin like that.

If he's got a Merc prop with a torqueflow plastic hub I could see it cracking if the prop was surfacing.

 

[BamaBoater44]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Don,

I had to get the boat back anyway. I keep in on a trailer at my house. I am going to try and jump the solenoid, like you suggested. If I can get it dropped down, I'll hook up the water and see if I can get the prop to spin.


Thanks for the advice! You guys are great!

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Don,

I had to get the boat back anyway. I keep in on a trailer at my house. I am going to try and jump the solenoid, like you suggested. If I can get it dropped down, I'll hook up the water and see if I can get the prop to spin.


Thanks for the advice! You guys are great!

even if the prop is spun or the coupler is shot.. it will still turn hooked up on the hose, since there will be no resistance.

 

[BamaBoater44]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Hey guys, I hope you are still around. I had a chance today to look at trim. I ran a screwdriver across the down screws and got the prop to go down.

I tried to run it back up and the up does not click. So I used the screw driver on the up and the prop went up.

In summary, neither work. The down clicks, the up doesn't. The screw driver ran across both screws on the up and down solenoid will move the prop up and down. The trailer works fine.

Any ideas as to what the fix is? Do I need to replace both solenoids?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Here is a link to the OEM service manuals you can download.
Manual #6 should cover the Alpha I outdrive.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571

Section 1C details how to test and fix your problem.

...

 

[BamaBoater44]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Don,

I looked at that manual and could not find the exact problem I have. Neither up or down work, down clicks, up does not click, trailer works fine. I was able to get both to work by running screw driver over the up and down solenoids.

Does that mean that both solenoids are bad, or something else?


Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

THINK !!!!!

If one of them clicks, you know it's not a power problem. Look at the wiring diagram and learn how the system works. It's a lot easier to fix something if you know how it works.
OR, we can guess everything in the world and you can throw a bunch of parts at it till it works, which do you want?

 

[BamaBoater44]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

I'm trying, Don. I am not the most electronically gifted person in the world. It seems as if, since the down clicks, power is getting to it, therefore it is a bad solenoid. And since the up does not click, it could be either a bad solenoid or faulty wiring from the trim control. Is that accurate?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

All you need is a 12v test light to test where juice is going or not going when you hit the switches. Like Don said learn the system by the manual then get a test light on it. Tes juice going into solenoids and coming out to the pump motor etc. Narrow it down and check/clean connections.

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

most of my problems have been in the 3 button trim switch....ive ran across a couple that were corroded on the switch/ and a couple that actually melted the connections.
may not be your problem but the switches are a good place to start.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

All you need is a 12v test light

Eagh.... cant really agree with that stars... Solenoids will click at 7 or 8 volts. You really need to use a DMM and see what voltage your getting.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Test lights or multimeters are a man's best friend trying to fix this problem. Can't fix it without them.

 

[BRG25]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

I tried to run it back up and the up does not click. So I used the screw driver on the up and the prop went up.

In summary, neither work. The down clicks, the up doesn't. The screw driver ran across both screws on the up and down solenoid will move the prop up and down. The trailer works fine.

Any ideas as to what the fix is? Do I need to replace both solenoids?

Thanks a bunch!

So the trailer button works but the trim up doesn't? Why did you jump the solenoid to raise the drive if the trailer button is working? The only difference between the trim up and trailer buttons is the trim limit switch. Are you sure you weren't trying to trim up the outdrive past the trim limit? If you raise the outdrive past the trim limit the trim up button won't work.

By the way, did you test the drive after you got the prop down? Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[BamaBoater44]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Hey gang. I haven't had another chance to work on it again. I am studying to take the series 7 so that is taking up a majority of my time. Was at the office til 8 tonight and its gonna be a long one tomorrow.

I ordered two new solenoids (they were cheap) in case they were the problem. If not, then its worth the cost to eliminate that from the equation. I also borrowed a multimeter, but haven't used it yet.

I am hoping to spend some time on it on Thursday. If I can get the trim working, then hopefully I will be able to take it out on Sat and test the prop.

We'll keep you updated. Thanks for all the input and ideas!

 

[BamaBoater44]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One tilt problems leading to spun prop

Ok, guys, I'm at a loss. To rule things out, I replace both solenoids. Before replacing, this it what was occuring:

Neither up or down was trimming, but the trailer was working. Up was clicking, but down was not. I could move both by jumping it with a screwdriver.

After replacing both solenoids, this is what is going on:

Down works, but up and trailer does not. Up does not click, but trailer does click. I checked all the fuses and they are fine. I can still move it up by jumping it with a screw driver.

I am at a total loss. Does anyone have any ideas before I suck it up and pay for a mechanic to look at it?

Thanks so much!