power trim problems

[jason011]

this stupid power trim is really giving me a headache, its a 1990, 90hp rude, i put a trim motor on it because the old one was shot, now when you trim up, it goes about halfway up and stops, if wait about 20-30 seconds it will go the rest of the way and does the same thing when tilting down.... all i can think is that the relays or wires are getting hot but ive already $200 having someone look at it and its still doing the same thing as when it went there:facepalm::facepalm: anyone able to help me out??? im running out of money fast hahaha i just noticed these little things

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: power trim problems

Was this a new electric motor or a used one?

Are you using the proper factory relay wiring setup or are you using a wiring setup you've devised? If your own, explain the setup.

Does the electric motor actually stop operating, OR does it continue running when the engine stops raising/lowering?

I assume you've grabbed some wire to see if they were hot.... were they?

 

[pn]

Re: power trim problems

you might have to go up and down a few times to purge the system of air.

 

[RRitt]

Re: power trim problems

i'm thinking there might have been an air bubble trapped in it when the system was filled and you are now dealing with a partially filled system. check level and top off per manual. If problem persists then it could be a corroded connection or a defective trim motor.

 

[jason011]

Re: power trim problems

the motor was brand new 3 weeks ago, i havent touched the wiring other than to plug in the new motor, i havent touched the wires to see if they were hot and it just stops working and after i wait 20 or 30 seconds it will work again which is why i figured the wires or relays are getting hot

ps. when this happens its just like ya took your thumb off the button ( the relays dont even click when ya push the button )

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: power trim problems

Gain access to the back of the PTT switch, then with a small jumper wire, connect the red (12v) wire to either the green or blue wire to have the unit operate. If all is well, a bad switch exists... if the problem still exists, check the red lead to see if the full 12 volts still exists at that solder joint.

If no voltage exists, then I would suspect that you have a circuit breaker installed which shouldn't be there... OR... wherever that red wire is connected to a voltage source is improper or the connection may be tight but dirty (momentary voltage drop).

 

[RRitt]

Re: power trim problems

hey joe - would a 1990 have a relay box?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: power trim problems

RRitt..... Not trusting completely to memory, I double checked the books (1990 90hp).

Yes, the PTT incorporates a relay box as has existed for a number of years.... but no circuit breaker.

 

[jason011]

Re: power trim problems

thanks ill check that out and let ya know what i find

 

[RRitt]

Re: power trim problems

the motor was brand new 3 weeks ago, i havent touched the wiring other than to plug in the new motor, i havent touched the wires to see if they were hot and it just stops working and after i wait 20 or 30 seconds it will work again which is why i figured the wires or relays are getting hot
ps. when this happens its just like ya took your thumb off the button ( the relays dont even click when ya push the button )

I have experienced about one in 30 of the new, inexpensive aftermarket trim motors having problems tripping the internal thermal breaker. Don't assume the motor is good just becasue it is new. However, on a 1990 it is still more likely to be a corroded connection than a bad motor. Especially if you have one of those black relay holder boxes. They completely suck. The trim wiring would have been 2x more reliable if OMC hadn't tried to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: power trim problems

RRitt.... I remember the older three (3) wire PTT electric motors having a internal circuit breaker but not the two (2) wire electric motors.

Are you sure that the two (2) wire electric PTT motors have the internal circuit breaker?

 

[RRitt]

Re: power trim problems

almost every trim motor regardless of 2w or 3w has a thermal breaker. it is a bimetal strip that bends open as it gets hot. on some motors it looks like a set of distributor points and on others it looks like a plastic block with wires. Trim system stopping dead and then running fine after brief wait is classic symptom of motor overheat. If it was a mercury, force, or volvo then I would go straight to motor and not suspect the wiring. But E/J has introduced all those extra connections plus a moisture collection device to hold them. That seems to be the number one cause of all things intermittent with OMC. So, if it was me, I would check the relay box first and the motor second. It's not likely to be a switch problem because of the way it cuts out and then comes back after short wait. With full bidirectional relay or solenoid wiring the switch doesn't carry enough amperes to act like that. If it was a short, then it would not have a consistent waiting period. However, the relay output does carry enough amperes to generate heat from bad connection. So it could possibly be a high current power or ground problem associated with the black box (input or output, could be either). If not the box, then almost sure to be a motor with a bad winding causing excessive current draw and tripping breaker.