trim/tilt problem

[family tyme]

have a mercury 488<br />its been working fine all year...but last weekend wen i use trim an tilt at full throttle it kills the motor an my volt gauge drops to zero...to me this sounds like a dead short somewere...it works fine sept at full thottle...any ideas were to start looking?<br />thanks

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: trim/tilt problem

Sounds like your tilt motor is fried. That is why it is drawing soo much power.

 

[jka]

Re: trim/tilt problem

family time,<br />I had the same problem with my '94 4winns 190 horizon with a 5.0 OMC.<br />the engine didn't die...but it did hiccup and stutter a bit. tech diagnosed it as a faulty alternator which wasn't putting out enough voltage.<br />i'm curious...how much should the voltage meter on the dash drop when you "touch" the trim up? mine seems to drop from about 13 to 10 or less. Does that signal anything's wrong or is it normal for such a drop?<br />ty all

 

[rdavis99]

Re: trim/tilt problem

I have had the same problem. Is it the tab on the end of the motor that is broke, or the tabs that make a slot on the end of the shaft? If it is the shaft that can be replaced separately. It can be replaced by removing the 3 bolts for the worm gear cover then remove the worm gear and shaft by manually lifting leg. A small magnet can be used to fish the broken pieces out then a new shaft can be installed. If this problem persists the cause may be the clutch is too tight. A shim can be removed to loosen it up a little which will lessen the strain on the shaft.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trim/tilt problem

I have had the same problem. Is it the tab on the end of the motor that is broke, or the tabs that make a slot on the end of the shaft? If it is the shaft that can be replaced separately. It can be replaced by removing the 3 bolts for the worm gear cover then remove the worm gear and shaft by manually lifting leg. A small magnet can be used to fish the broken pieces out then a new shaft can be installed. If this problem persists the cause may be the clutch is too tight. A shim can be removed to loosen it up a little which will lessen the strain on the shaft.

Sivad99,<br />family time is working on a Mercruiser.........<br />You are talking about an OMC, or Volvo........

 

[Nighthawk99]

Re: trim/tilt problem

Just had similar problem with 1999 Four Winns (5.7 Gsi). When I pressed trim switch, engine shutoff and 12.5 amp breaker (controls fuel pump) would trip. Occasionally, the 50 amp trim/tilt breaker would also trip.
This problem occurred 2 years ago and marina replaced breaker, but didn't solve the root cause. Problem would manifest itself intermittently, usually during high humidity conditions (in salt water morning fog or after heavy rain).
Was testing various components with multimeter and in the process turning battery switch on and off. Finally, happened to be near fuel pump, ignition off and turned on battery switch and heard fuel pump energize. One of those Ah Ha moments!
Pulled cover off of breaker box (bracket mounted on starboard exhaust riser) and found that insulated spade connector for output side of 50 amp tilt/trim breaker was rotated tight against insulated spade connector for output lug of 12.5 amp breaker. Couldn't see anything, but when I removed lug nut and checked spade connectors, insulation had worn through on both connectors where they were touching. Used liquid insulation to repair and carefully held connector to prevent rotation against other breaker connector when retightening.
This situation also caused battery rundown when I would forget to turn off battery switch when on trailer or when left on to run bilge pump while docked in water.
Since short had an air gap distance of worn insulation (3-5 mm), problem would only manifest itself when humidity was high enough to bridge gap.

Not sure of your breaker configuration, but start checking there and move back through tilt / trim wiring in harness whereever it may touch ignition/fuel pump/ecm wires.

Hope this helps!