New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

[goingboeing737]

Hi all,<br /><br />I just picked up a 1985 4 Winns 170 Horizon w/ 140 Mercruiser. I beleive it is the Alpha 1 drive.<br /><br />First off, I need to buy a manual. Would you suggest the Seloc or Clymer? I'm pretty mechanical. Just finished restoring 2 1984 Porsches, but have never messed at all with boat stuff. Used to have a 22' with a 200 outboard, changed lower unit oil....<br /><br />The problem I'm having is with the tilt/trim. I've done a search and found "some" info, but not what I'm looking for.<br /><br />Tilt will go down, but not up using the toggle switch on the throttle. It will go up with the trailer switch however. Do not hear any clicking on the pump solinoid when trying to go up with the toggle switch. I'm going to check, but kind of figure it's a bad "up/out" solinoid. Does the trailer button bypass the solinoid somehow?<br /><br />The biggest problem however is the wiring from the pump to the trim limit and trim indicator switches on the drive. They are in the worst shape I've ever seen electical wires. Dried, cracked, frayed, exposed, corroded, brittle....Every other wire in the boat looks new/perfect. The wires are no longer connected to either of the of the switches on the drive. They are broken off a couple of inches behind the drive. I think I will have to replace both of the switch/indicators.<br /><br />The wiring seems to be somewhat modular, in that I think I can replace the section between the pump and the switches. Is there any way to "snake" or pull the wires through the transom without pulling the lower unit off? I can get to both switches by turning the drive full each way, but can not see exactly where the wires come through the transom. I have been to the MercStuff site and seen a pdf of the Merc manual, they show pulling the unit to get the wires through.<br /><br />I could probably live with it the way it is, but I'm trying to teach wife and daughter how to drive a boat. Having a working trim/tilt indicator would be a real plus.<br /><br />Anybody here in the north Houston or Lake Livingston area?<br /><br />Sorry about the long post. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[djvan]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

Mine did the trailer up thing also. I had to adjust the trim limit switch, mine was on the port side of the outdrive, I think most are on the starboard side. The switch is round with slots for adjustment and two wires coming out of it. Be careful as these screws are easy to break off.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[Don S]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

First off, I would recommend the OEM service manual from Mercruiser before any of the after market. More details and better discription of work. Below is a link to the Mercruiser outdrive manual. It's in pdf format and some of the sections are slow (large files)to open. Just move your cursor over the different sections of the page and you will find the links. If you open section 4C of the manual, it has the wiring diagrams you are looking for. But basically it sounds like the wires are off the trim limit switch on the drive. They corrode off and it's a quite common problem.<br />You can temporarily jumper the trim limit sender inside the boat to see if it will work without the sender.<br /> Mercruiser Service Manual #6

 

[goingboeing737]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

DJVAN = Adjusting will probably not do much since they have no wires connected to them.<br /><br />DON S = Thanks for the link. Any place you reccomend to buy the OEM manuals? Any thoughts on being able to snake the wires through the transom?

 

[Don S]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

The information on how to change the swithches is in the manual.<br />You can order manuals from either your local Mercruiser dealer, or, http://www.mercurymarine.com/order_a_mercruiser_manual

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

Any thoughts on being able to snake the wires through the transom?

Sorry...........<br />It Aint Going to Happen...........

 

[goingboeing737]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

Is pulling the lower unit a real hard job? Should I redo, replace, service anything else while I have it off?<br /><br />What do think a shop would charge to do this?<br /><br />Replace the limit sender, trim indicator and replace the wiring?<br /><br />Guesstimates?

 

[Don S]

Re: New Here, Tilt/Trim problems

It's not that hard to pull the drive, shift it into forward, remove the rod for the tilt rams, pull 6 nuts and the drive pulls off. <br />NEW GASKETS AND ORINGS ARE NEEDED TO REINSTALL.<br />Here's a site you might find helpful, along with the manual.<br /><br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm