Power Trim Help on 3.0 Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 will go down but not up HELP!

[The Grayt 1]

I bought this boat last year after sitting for a bit and did all the regular services to freshen her up before this year and she has ran great! Since I bought it through the power trim has been VERY slow going up since I got her. The other day I thought I would siphon the old fluid out of the trim reservoir and refill it with 30 weight non detergent oil as that is what someone told me to do. Well, now the trim will not go up at all but will go down. A buddy told me that the pump had water in it before I changed the fluid and it needs to be completely slushed and the screens cleared. It is not even making an electronic clicking sound when hitting up now...


Any ideas? flush the pump out? trim limit switch bad? Solenoid bad? I am desperate for help and just want to enjoy summer!

 

[alldodge]

Should use 10W30 or 10W40 before straight 30W


What your experiencing is the seals in the trim cylinders are binding. Get the rebuild kit and should be good

 

[The Grayt 1]

If it were binding would it not at least make an electrical sound to raise? Makes me think it might be the trim limit switch? Also the tilt and trim gauge has never worked so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

 

[alldodge]

It is not even making an electronic clicking sound when hitting up now..

Missed your last sentence
With it not clicking then check the fuse then the wiring

 

[Joshto]

If it were binding would it not at least make an electrical sound to raise? Makes me think it might be the trim limit switch? Also the tilt and trim gauge has never worked so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

If it goes down but not up, then the fuse isn't the problem. There is only one fuse feeding both selenoids. I once experienced something similar. The relay or selenoid contact was all rusted...mine stopped going down, not up.

I took apart all the selenoids and the copper bar...cleaned them all and problem solved. Those connections carry high current, any lacck of contact prevents current from flowing.

 

[Joshto]

And yes, trim limit switch is another possibility. Turn the drive all the way to starboard and check the cables aren't broken (mine broke long time ago,). If they are, then bypass the trim switch limit cables inside. If it still doesn't go up after that it's either the UP selenoid or the pump itself.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Thanks, guys I have a few things to check for sure. I am not by the boat right now but where would the trailer switch be if I had one at all? Did not see anything on the throttle itself. Was not sure if anyone knows where it might live on a Sea Ray 176?

Also what would you advise from a chemical standpoint to clean connections with?

 

[alldodge]

Depends on the throttle control design. Many Mercs the button looks like part of the panel mount. Look close at the bottom right corner to see if its rubber and not plastic. If its rubber push real hard, that would be the trailer switch

If not post pic of your control

 

[poconojoe]

I once had a problem where the drive would not trim up. I replaced the solenoids and all was fine. There are two. One for up, one for down.
Blue (like the sky) wire is up and green (like the grass) is down.

My boat does not have a separate trailer position switch. It's integrated into the trim up/down button on the throttle handle. Maybe yours is like that or it may be completely different.

Here's how mine works:
When trimming up, the drive stops at the high limit which is set by the trim limit switch on the side of the drive. (It must be set correctly)
Then I keep pressing the (up) button, but press it a little harder, it has a second detent which will raise the drive to trailer position.

 

[tank1949]

I bought this boat last year after sitting for a bit and did all the regular services to freshen her up before this year and she has ran great! Since I bought it through the power trim has been VERY slow going up since I got her. The other day I thought I would siphon the old fluid out of the trim reservoir and refill it with 30 weight non detergent oil as that is what someone told me to do. Well, now the trim will not go up at all but will go down. A buddy told me that the pump had water in it before I changed the fluid and it needs to be completely slushed and the screens cleared. It is not even making an electronic clicking sound when hitting up now...


Any ideas? flush the pump out? trim limit switch bad? Solenoid bad? I am desperate for help and just want to enjoy summer!

Depending on age and if saltwater used, I'd rebuild cylinders. I have on mine. Amazing results! That being said, jump start trim motor (use heavy gauge jumpers/wire) to bypass all the other switches and make sure pump is not bad. If it works(runs), start testing switches and solenoids. I had a gen 2 that salt water from bait well constantly dripped on trim motor's solenoids and I had to constantly replace them until I figured out a way to cover them.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Anyoen got suggestions on where to find solenoids and trim limit switch replacements prior to me driving all the way out there? Want to have parts in hand and can return what I do not need? Direct links or model numbers would be great as well!

 

[Joshto]

Anyoen got suggestions on where to find solenoids and trim limit switch replacements prior to me driving all the way out there? Want to have parts in hand and can return what I do not need? Direct links or model numbers would be great as well!

Seem widely available. I just did a quick search on eBay

Solenoids

New Marine Starter Tilt / Trim Relay Solenoid, MerCruiser 89-96158T 12V | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for New Marine Starter Tilt / Trim Relay Solenoid, MerCruiser 89-96158T 12V at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Trim Switch

MERCURY QUICKSILVER TRIM LIMIT SWITCH 805129A 3 MARINE BOAT | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MERCURY QUICKSILVER TRIM LIMIT SWITCH 805129A 3 MARINE BOAT at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Be aware that replacing the trim switch is a PIA. The outdrive has to come off. There are a few videos on youtube.

 

[1960 Starflite]

Seem widely available. I just did a quick search on eBay

Solenoids

New Marine Starter Tilt / Trim Relay Solenoid, MerCruiser 89-96158T 12V | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for New Marine Starter Tilt / Trim Relay Solenoid, MerCruiser 89-96158T 12V at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Trim Switch

MERCURY QUICKSILVER TRIM LIMIT SWITCH 805129A 3 MARINE BOAT | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MERCURY QUICKSILVER TRIM LIMIT SWITCH 805129A 3 MARINE BOAT at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Be aware that replacing the trim switch is a PIA. The outdrive has to come off. There are a few videos on youtube.

The limit n trim position wires were toast on mine. I ran lamp wire up and over transom for temporary repair until I pulled bell housing for bellows replacement. Old style switch came apart, hopefully newer ones do too.

 

[alldodge]

If your going to replace the limit, I would suggest replacing the sender as well, because its the same amount of work

 

[tank1949]

Anyoen got suggestions on where to find solenoids and trim limit switch replacements prior to me driving all the way out there? Want to have parts in hand and can return what I do not need? Direct links or model numbers would be great as well!

West Marine did have them and they weren't too expensive but you can order here or find them on Ebay.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Thanks everyone!