OMC outdrive stuck down!

[purebliss1971]

I was wondering if anyone could help with a trim/tilt problem? I have a 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra and last season my "up tilt" stuck at times. In other words, my outdrive wouldn't go up. I tried charging the battery fully and luckily I got it to go up before I winterized the boat. I now placed the outdrive down to start the boat this season and it is stuck in the down position. When I press the trim button up I hear a clicking in the UP Solenoid, but the outdrive doesn't go up. Do I need to test the soleniod even though I hear clicking. I know I don't have any hydraulic problems or leaks and I'm pretty sure the motor is working properly beacause the outdrive went down with no problem. Any help out there would be great.

 

[12Footer]

Re: OMC outdrive stuck down!

Welcome to iboats. Yes, prime suspect is the solenoid, or corossion on the solenoid terminals. When it clicks, it means the switch and solenoid is activating, but the contacts inside are not switching the big leads, or power isn't reaching the trim motor.<br />Disconnect the battery,and clean the terminals.<br />Before hooking it back up, do the same to the solenoid terminals..Make them shine. Re-connect everything. If it operates ok at that time, coat all connections with CRC battery terminal protector. It looks scarey when you use this stuff,because it looks like a thin red paint.<br />But it isn't paint, and will clean-up with 409 or other cleaner. But this will help keep the moisture out,and creating the problem all over again.

 

[purebliss1971]

Re: OMC outdrive stuck down!

If this doesn't work should I take the solenoid out and test it with an ohm meter?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC outdrive stuck down!

i had the same problem with my cobra a couple years ago. bad solenoid. figured i might as well change both. i think i paid about $30. each. if u order thru napa you'll probably grt a better price.

 

[purebliss1971]

Re: OMC outdrive stuck down!

Thanks for the feedback. Was the bad solenoid you had still clicking when you hit the trim up button?

 

[petryshyn]

Re: OMC outdrive stuck down!

Jason<br /><br />Its obvious you have a voltmeter. Did you check for voltage to the motor when trying to trim it? All this is speculation until you do so....<br />I'd hate to see you purchase a solenoid when its the motor at fault....