Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

[sroger007]

My "down" solenoid was pooched so I replaced it. Problem solved. <br /><br />Three days later the whole trim/tilt stopped working. Both solenoids click and are closing the circuit. The pump motor is seeing 12V but she won't run. I get a resistance between ground and the two motor windings so it doesn't seem to be open circuit. Has anyone had this problem themselves and what was done to fix it? Don't really want to invest in a new pump - they are somewhat expensive. Metal reservoir style pump on a 1980 470 Mercruiser.<br /><br />Advice welcome

 

[tommays]

Re: Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

the first thing i would try is to run the motor directly i was able to do this useing a small battery charger and disconnect the 3 motor leads when i had to flush my pump out<br /> if the pumps runs great you can look for bad connections if it does not you have to take it apart and check the brushes and armature and see if you can repair it<br /><br />tommays

 

[sroger007]

Re: Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

Tried the direct thing - no dice<br /><br />The brush caps are a bugger to get unscrewed. Tried an hammer type impact driver - the bit started to twist and the caps are still tight. I'm really hoping it's just the brushes - refurbs are $300 new I'd expect $500plus - ooch!

 

[1996Starcraft]

Re: Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

Here is my posting from another thread:<br /><br />"I have a Mercruiser stern and the unit is stuck in the down position. The up/down trim switch and the Trailer switch just make a low clicking noise. I have disconnected the Red, blue and green wires on the pump and attempted to put + voltage to the blue wire and green wires, but there was no clicking sound and no movement of the trim. BTW - the red wire has plenty of power and the screw that holds the plastic cover that covers the green and blue wires is also hot."<br /><br />Question, where is the solenoid for the switches and pump with respect to the pump?<br /><br />Question, how do you know if the solenoid is bad?

 

[sroger007]

Re: Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

1996 Starcraft<br /><br />The order is hand operated switches ( shifter or trialer) - limit switches (on the out drive) - solenoid - pump motor.<br /><br />Connecting the pump directly to the battery will bypass the solenoids therefore no clicking. Connected directly to battery it should work - if not something bad with pump motor.<br /><br />Solenoids can click and still be bad. Disconnect the secondary side of the solenoid (termibals to pump) activate the trim switch and measure the resistance across the secondary terminals - a few hundred ohms is OK a few Mega ohms is bad ( contacts inside are likely corroded). I'm assuming you have some electical savy - if not leave to someone who does - these pumps draw a fair bit of current<br /><br />Sounds to me like you have exactly the same problem as I do. All we need now is a solution!

 

[1996Starcraft]

Re: Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

I posted under a separate note and Tommays responded to it too. When I originally checked the green and blue wires, I didn't disconnect the black wire and the pump motor didn't budge. So by Tommays note, I think the ground wire may be a serious contender for the problem. He also infers this above - where he checks the pump motor by using a small battery charger. I presume black on black and red on blue.<br /><br />I'll check this out in a few days and let you know what happens... Thanks Tommays!

 

[1996Starcraft]

Re: Trim/Tilt Pump Not Working

See my other posting for details... The short story is that my problem is resolved. I had very corroded battery 'O' connectors. I cleaned them up and the trim works really well! The (+) was acceptable, the (-) was not registering continuity at all.<br /><br />Good luck! Thanks everyone!