tilt and trim lock up

[stinger1]

i am going to start with the tilt and trim tommorrow.<br /><br />the tilt and trim had locked up and i had to release the pressure by turning the wheel at the bottom of the pump.<br /><br />what could cause the lock up. i need some sort of starting point on troubleshooting this.

 

[aban_esox]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

Hey Stringer;<br />Nobody still knows what ob you are even dealing with yet. This info is imperative for the people on this site to help you!!!<br />You seem to have several problems with the same unit but are spreading all your questions and responses all over the site.<br />Let's take the project by the horns and deal with it in one thread.

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

sorry, the boat is a 1977 stinger with a 85 hp mercury (merc850).<br /><br />as far as spreading things out. i thought you were supposed to post by topic and not by boat. at least thats what it says (new topic) or (next topic) or (related topic). <br /><br />the boat is 16 foot and that is the origonal motor so i am sure the boat is rated for that engine. fiberglass hull. there is wood between the fiberglass on the transom <br /><br />my idea is to bolt a metal plate on the inside of the hull. i belive the wood further outside the mounting bolts is still strong enough. to disperse the weight. has anyone ever done this. to keep from having to remove the motor.

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

now about the tilt and trim. <br />what would cause it to lock up and not move either up or down.

 

[Down South]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

Hey Stinger, Is the trim locking in the (all the way up position). I have a 90 Mercury that does the same thing sometimes. I talked to a mechanic about it and he thought the unit may be low on fluid. I checked the fluid level and it was fine. You might consider checking yours though. I'm curious to see what replies you get back on this one.<br />

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

it locked up in the up position this time. <br />however it has locked up in the down position before. the fluid level is fine.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

When you states that it is locked up do you mean the motor is not running at all? Is there any response from the switch? This problem is either electrical or hydraulic (or both). You have to be more descriptive for any of us to try to guide you to a solution to the problem. Considering the boat motor is a 1977 I would suggest that you remove EVERY electrical connection (one at a time) with the battery dis-connected, lightly sand each terminal end and re-connect to insure that everything is tight with a proper connection. I encountered same type problems and I found that with over 20 years of age combined with possible lack of maintenance .... add in corrosion....I got mine working again fine.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Down South]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

I think that I've had the exact same model motor that you have in the past. If I'm correct the trim pump is separate from the motor remotly located somewhere near the transom with hoses going to the trim cylinders, (If I remember correctly there are two trim cylinders). Anyway I did have a problem like the one you describe. <br /> What happened to me was the guy that I had got the boat from had put the wrong type of oil in the trim unit and it foamed real bad causing the pump to air lock sometimes. The only way to get the pump to prime again was to do the same as you, relieve the pressure.<br />

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

the t and t pump is mounted underneath and has hoses running to the engine . when it locks up , you can move the switch and nothing happens. i can relieve the pressure and she will work just fine for a while, but then sooner or later she locks up again.

 

[12Footer]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

Does this t/t system have a board with relays on it. I'm not familiar with this, even tho it is very common,except on Force and OMC. But both of those systems have a set of relays which will give you a lotta grief. I had one that I relaced the relays on,as I could not hear the pump motor engage.<br />Then, it would go up,but not down. I found the contacts on the relay sockets had corroded so badly, I had to replace them. It worked fine after that.<br />So, if you don't hear a "whirrr" back there, this is a pump problem.<br />Listen for a "click" sound, and pinpoint where it is comming from...This will be where the relays are. If it clicks,but does not whirr (sorry), it is the relay or the contacts, or the motor.

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

when you say relay<br />i am assuming you are talking about a little box that looks like a solenoid. there is one on top of the pump and i noticed it looks exactly like the one on the motor right beforethe starter. would that possibly be intermittent if it was going out or would it just go out

 

[Bobby Powell]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

Test the relay with an ohm meter for continuity. I had the same problem on a 90 hp merc. I had an audible click of the relay but no"whrrr". Tested for continuity and whola! no continuity, replaced relay and it works fine.

<br /><br />To answer your question, yes it looks like the starter solenoid, and yes it can act up intermittently as the corrosion builds up.<br /><br />I am still new to all of this so anyone can correct me..I wont be insulted. :0<br /><br />good luck-<br />Bobby

 

[12Footer]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

You are right on the mark,bobby.<br />A heavy current relay is a solenoid.<br /> These relays are heavy amp buggers,like the solenoid on the starter. They are not usually the same tho. Sometimes there are two side-by-side,and they ARE. But if there is just one,we can assume it is a single pole,double throw type.

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

thanks down south<br /><br />i have removed the tilt and trim motor and i am replacing the wires and relay on the unit.<br />on close inspection all of the connections and wires were dirty and in bad shape.<br /><br />bob vt gives a pretty good discription of my<br />t and t system. i looked the pump over real good , there is no model number or anything. i guess it was just standard equip with a 1977 merc 850.<br /><br />on the side of the pump it says to use only sae 5 w 30 service grade se oil. <br />does this thing really operate on oil.<br />i thought it would use hydrolic fluid. <br /><br />i hope to re install this thing and check it out in a day or two. does anyone know about bleeding this system

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

ill try to describe the actual pump.<br />it has a 2 inch cubed relay on top.<br />then under that is a round canister with wires running to it. a little larger than than a can of vegtables. i assume that is the motor. then under that is a oh probably 6 inch cubed size resevoir for the fluid with all of the hose connections underneath.

 

[crazyray2]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

ok stringer guess first then is when you say your trim locks up does the motor still run but nothing move or do you not hear any noise...if you are hearing the pump run but nothing happen you have a problem with the valves on bottom of you pump....where lines hook up and thumbwheel for release is.

 

[stinger1]

Re: tilt and trim lock up

i replaced some wires and put on the new relay. on the bench i hooked it to a battery and switched it quickly up and down.<br /><br />and guess what, it works.<br /><br />i am going to install it back into the boat.<br />however, i want to be sure about the oil.<br /><br />it say right on the side of the pump to use <br />sae 5 w 30 service grade se oil.<br /><br />is that just 5 w 30 like you would put in a car.<br /><br />if someone knows please advise <br />i dont want to screw this thing up<br /><br />thanks