Trim on Alpha I not working

[snoski]

My up-trim on my 1987 Alpha I is not working from the switch on the throttle control. It will trim down from that switch and it will trim up from the "trailer trim" button. What should I look at to fix this problem?

Thanks,
James

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

Could be several things... but the most likely candidate is the trim limit switch on the outdrive itself has gone bad. It is common for the wires to get corroded and fail. Most people simply bypass it.

 

[snoski]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

How do I by-pass the limit switch on the outdrive?

Thanks

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

I don't have a wiring diagram in front of me, but if you need one you can do a search and DonS has posted a list of online manuals. But basically, there are two sets of wires coming from your transom / outdrive. One is for the trim gauge and the other is for the trim limit switch. That's the set you want to disconnect and simply connect the wires together - thus eliminating the outdrive switch. (The limit switch keeps you from trimming up too far with the engine running. Just keep in mind that you will not want to trim up very far with the engine running as it can mess up the u joints, etc).

 

[snoski]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

Thanks.....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

The trim limit switch plugs into the PTT wiring harness near the PTT pump. You should see two brown wires pluging into a purple wire (and blue wire?) in the harness, via bullet connectors. Disconnect the brown wires and connect the purple wire to the blue one. (It might be two purple wires, I cannot remember)

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

Before you go cutting and splicing wires check all the connections from the throttle handle switches to the trim motor. You could just have a connection that has come loose.

 

[snoski]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

wvit1001

That does sound more like the problem since it will trim down but not up...


Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim on Alpha I not working

Here's a link to the troubleshooting section of the OEM service manual. Very easy to follow, and you don't have to guess what is wrong.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6C1R3.PDF

Your problem is 90% chance that it's the trim limit switch on the drive. Troubleshoot, don't guess and hope and start changing parts without knoing.