Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

[strippingguards]

My power trim - down - just stopped working. It was a little sticky at first - I would have to push the lever on the throttle down several times before it would make the electrical connection. It would "click" each time I pressed on the lever and then eventually make the connection and power down. Yesterday, however, it never made the connection. I had to open the casing and take a screwdriver to mannually make the connection between the two bolts on the down solenoid.<br />I took a good look at all of the wires and they seemed to be fine. I did not see any loose or broken connections. The up position works fine. Any suggestions for a quick fix here?

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

It sounds like the switch is bad. Do you have a switch on the motor too? See if it works. If it does you have a bad switch at the helm. If you don't have a switch on the motor then take the cover off motor, find the two selonoids (up and down) and switch one for the other. If the down then works...replace the bad seloniod. If you still have the same problem, my guess would then be a bad switch at the helm. Hope this gets you pointed in the right direction.

 

[nc4z]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

Ive had the same problem before. I checked the switch but finally found that there were bad connections in a couple of the inline plugs. I cleaned all the connections to solenoids with contact cleaner and never had trouble again.

 

[strippingguards]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

I spend a couple of hours this morning trying to fix my electrical problem. After checking the connections again and blowing a fuse or two, I can not figure out what the problem is!!!<br />I am hesitant to remove the solenoids because the bolts that hold them to the engine bloack are not easily accessable without taking several other things apart. I guess I could just switch the wires from the up solenoid to the down and vice versa to try to troubleshoot the solenoid problem possibility. <br />Can anyone tell me what the connections to each solenoid do? Here is what I think... the two large nuts are basically a switch - I know this because when I touch them both with a screwdriver, the motor goes down. The two smaller nuts are NOT a switch - I now know this because when I touch them both with a screwdriver I blow a 20amp fuse! I also know that when I press the down lever on the throttle, I hear a "click" in the engine in the area of the solenoid. So I'm guessing that something is not making the electrical connection that it should when I hear that "click." I'm guessing that when I depress the remote down lever it is supposed to close the connection between the two big bolts (that I previously used the screwdriver on to get the engine down) and when I release to button the connection should open again - thus stoping the motor.<br />I'll stop babbling now - Can anyone help me?

 

[nc4z]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

Sounds like the solenoiod is bad , Doug. A solenoid is a electrical switch. The small nuts are connected to a coil . When current goes through the coil it pulls the solenoid down inside ,so the large contacts ( the big wires) can operate the tilt. The clicking is the solenoid pulling in but there is not enough current flowing to operate the tilt. Switching the wires for the test is a good idea.<br />Dave

 

[strippingguards]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

I'm done testing now and decided that the down sloenoid is bad.<br />So how the heck do I get that thing out to replace it. The bolts that hold it in are facing into the engine and are not accessable. I dont want to start taking unnecessary things apart for fear that I will break a seal and then need a new gasket kit or something.<br />Is there an easy way to get this out without too much trouble?

 

[Dan225]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

TO ALL TRYING TO HELP:<br /><br />I HAVE A SIMILIAR PROBLEM TOPIC-POSTED ON THE 18TH. I SEE THAT YOU MENTION THE SELONOID. WHEN YOU WRITE SOLENOID ARE YOU REFFERING TO THE RELAYS INSIDE A SMALL BLACK BOX NEAR THE STARTER OR ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE ONE LARGE SOLENOID THAT THE BATTERY AND STARTER MOTOR ARE CONNECTED TO ? IF IT IS THAT, HOW CAN I TEST MY TRIM AND TILT THERE ? SCREWDRIVER ACROSS WHICH POSTS AND AT THE SAME TIME HOLD THE T/T SWITCH ? I'M A LITTLE LOST. 1988 225 HP EVINRUDE. THANKS MUMBLERONE FOR YOUR REPONSE.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

please don't yell

 

[strippingguards]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

I am very close to solving my problem - is there someone that can tell me the best way to remove the solenoid? and where to find a new one?

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

Doug; I feel you frustration...been there. I don't know what motor you have. Unless it's like mine it probably wouldn't make a difference anyway. On mine you just pull them out like a electrical plug and replace (or switch to be sure that's your problem). In you case you'll just have to start taking some parts off till you can get it out. I'm sure someone on this site is familiar...LET THEM KNOW THE MOTOR DETAILS. If you get it out go to the local auto parts store, they can probablly match it. You might have to put a little silicone on the bottom to waterproof. I'd then order the correct one and use this one for a spare. Hope his gets you going.

 

[Bear]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

1985 Mercury 135hp V6 #0B314804 I guess.

 

[strippingguards]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

That's a good guess Bear! <br />Mine do not simply plug out though - Well I guess I'm going to get dirty! Break out the socket set - here I go - wish me luck and hope that I do not post my next message on the "Engines for Sale" site.

 

[strippingguards]

Re: Power Trim - down solenoid is not functioning

Well we can close out this board - the problem is solved. I didn't get a new solenoid - I just tweeked the one that was broken. I guess I'll explain what I did for anyone reading that has experienced the same problem.<br />I did have to remove the carb cover which did disrupt the gasket seal (I did not replace the gasket - recommended by book - because I did not have one)but I just left the same gasket on when I finished. Once I took that off - the solenoid was easy to remove. I took the whole solenoid apart to see what was actually going on inside that little monster - I figured if I broke something I would need a new one anyway.<br />The "clicking" that I was hearing (see earlier post) was the electromagnet working properly - however, for some reason the magnetic switch was not closing the link between the two main bolts. I knew that if this connection was made (from using the screwdriver) then the trim motor would work. It's difficult to describe but when the nuts on the two large bolts are tightened too much it pulls the inner contact away from the elecromagnetic switch. There is a spring inside that actually keeps the switch away from the contact bolts until the electromagnet is activated. So basiscally what I had to do (and what could be done in the future without disassembling the carb cover)is slightly loosen both nuts on the larger bolts of the solenoid and gently tap the bolts into the solenoid body about 2 mm. Then re-tighten the nut to meet the solenoid (but not too tight as to bring the bolt back out again)WHat this is basically doing is allowing the magnetic contact to link the two bolts together more easily.<br />I don't know why this problem started out of the blue but now that I've been through it I can fix it easily if it happens again.<br />Thanks to everyone who has given me their 2 cents.