Trim doing something weird

[CaptainDucky]

1977 mercruiser stern drive 140 on a Mark Twain
I have to have boat in gear to trim up or trailer. This becomes problem trying to trailer or go into cove. Any ideas why this might be happening?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Being in gear should have no impact on the trim or trailer. I suspect that it is the control handle position that is that is affecting the trim. It may be that you have poor contact on some of the wiring in the in the handle.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Thank you for the reply....How do I go about checking this out to see if it would be the case you have mentioned? I just need a little guidance on this and I can figure it out.

Thanks for your help.

Captain Duck

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Did this problem just suddenly happen? Did it work one day, the next day it didn't?
Have you done any rewiring of anything on the engine, trim, or the throttle shift control?
Is your trim and tilt on the control or is it the 3 button unit on the dash.

Basically, there is nothing between the trim/tilt and the drive being in gear or in neutral except maybe the neutral safety switch. but that would take some really creative wiring.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Don,

The other day was the first time to take the boat out this year. If I remember correctly it did this last year when we took it out as well. The only thing that I can think of is that when we put in the new shift cable over a year ago something then went screwy. However, it did work the correct way, that is being in neutral and the ability to move tilt in and out no problems, until the last time we took it out. I have the three button system on dash. At this point I am clueless as to what could be done now. Any help will be great and I am ready to get this fixed.

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Do you have the 2 relay or single relay trim pump?

 

[muc]

Re: Trim doing something weird

1977 had the reverse lock on the shift block.
Might be able to adjust it.
Might be going bad, but no parts are available anymore that I know of.
Engine doesn’t need to be running to shift it into gear to raise drive, why don’t you just do that?

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim doing something weird

If the control is in neutral, does the pump run and drive not move? does it just click? Nothing at all?

What exactly isn't happening?

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Do you have the 2 relay or single relay trim pump?

If you mean do I have 1 or 2 solenoids....then I have 1 solenoid.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

If the control is in neutral, does the pump run and drive not move? does it just click? Nothing at all?

What exactly isn't happening?

If in neutral and boat off it will trim in but will not trim up nor will it trailer.

With boat off and pushing pin in on handle to put in gear i can move handle forward and it will trim in, trim up and trailer. This is the same if boat is running as well.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

1977 had the reverse lock on the shift block.
Might be able to adjust it.
Might be going bad, but no parts are available anymore that I know of.
Engine doesn’t need to be running to shift it into gear to raise drive, why don’t you just do that?

Where do i find that in the original service manual? I have looked.
And the engine doesn't have to be running correct. But when you are trying to put it onto the trailer in wind there needs to be a little power. Also, i never really know how deep a loading ramp is until I get there. Just is a pain to walk it onto trailer with rope after turning off, putting in gear and then trimming up etc...

I just hope it can be fixed though....if not then I will resort to the above mentioned.

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim doing something weird

If in neutral and boat off it will trim in but will not trim up nor will it trailer.

With boat off and pushing pin in on handle to put in gear i can move handle forward and it will trim in, trim up and trailer. This is the same if boat is running as well.

When trimming up from neutral, does the pump motor run or the relay click or anything.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

When trimming up from neutral, does the pump motor run or the relay click or anything.

Oh...when trimming up or trailering there is no noise at all. Trimming in it makes the noise like it is working because it is.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Trim doing something weird

Any ideas?