Trim on Mercruiser outdrive not working

[thestigmach1]

I have a 1969 IMP with a mercruiser setup. I bought this as a project so there are numerous things coming up to be wrong. One of them that is keeping me from being able to test the boat now that the engine runs is I cant trim the outdrive up or down. When I push the down button the pump makes noise but nothing happens. When I push the up or trailer button nothing happens at all. I can pick the outdrive up so the cylinders aren't locked up. I cant find any literature on this either, I guess the curse of the classics. Thanks a head of time.

 

[achris]

Check the pump is full of oil.

To get the UP circuit to run you need to press the top button and the centre button at the same time. The original set up would have you only needing to press the centre button to get the drive about 1/3 the way up (called the 'trim' range), and both to get it further up than that (called the tilt range). The reason you need to now press both buttons to get any UP is because the trim limit switch has failed, probably in 1970. And there's nothing you can do to replace/repair the switch. Apart from being exceedingly difficult to get at, the part is NLA about 30 years ago.... One thing you could do if you would be happy with it, put a jumper wire in the harness in place of the limit switch. That way you'd only need to press the centre button to raise the drive to the full UP position. Just be aware you could lift the drive too far while under way and not have it supported in the gimabl ring (which you could do anyway with the 2 button press)....

HTH,

Chris..........
(I've also move this thread to the Mercruiser forum)

 

[thestigmach1]

Where are the limiter switches on something this old? Usually they are on either side of the outdrive right?but theres nothing there. Also when i push both buttons nothing happens, no sound no nothing

 

[achris]

Limit switch is up inside the gimbal ring, above the bell housing. No point in trying to remove it either, NLA part.

With a test light, see if you have power (on the red wire) at the trim control panel. If you do, press the UP and OUT together and ensure you have power on the blue wire going out.

Here's something you may find useful...

And looking at the diagram has made me realise... For these engine, the UP only works if the engine is in forward or neutral, but not reverse.

 

[pureinsanity]

There is a junction block in between the plug on the trim pump assembly and the motor. If you have power on the blue wire at the "UP" button then check at the junction block, the wire (blue) may be bad at it. I see you're in MO, I may have some parts for that system laying around. Not trying to sale parts just trying to help out a fellow boater. My boat uses the sensors on the side of the gimbal. I had 2 parts boats that had the earlier style so I can't use that part of the trim system.

 

[thestigmach1]

Sorry took so long to get back with you guys. I ended up using the diagram achris provided and wired the up button directly to the solenoid. Its not right per say but it works. I know how long it takes to trim to where I need it while going down the lake so it's fine as long as no one else drives it, which isn't a problem. Thanks for your help guys