Trim up does not work but trailer and trim down does

numbered01

Cadet
Joined
May 28, 2012
Messages
24
Hello everyone, I am having a problem with my power trim. I have a 1987 Sea Ray Sorrento 19. As of right now my trim up does not work at all. The trailer button works perfectly fine as does the trim down work great. The trim up was working a couple of days ago just fine.

When I pulled it out the water yesterday I was at the ramp and pushed the trailer button to raise it all the way up. Took it out the water and went home.

I immediately gave the bottom of the boat and the drive an acid wash to get the alge off so it would not dry. Then rinsed the bottom and the drive off with water from my hose and went inside to let dry. A couple hours later I went to lower the drive to let the rest of the water drain. After it drained I pressed the trim up button to raise it and NOTHING!

I am wondering if the acid wash to the drive did something to the trim limit switch or is there a safety feature of some kind. I dont know if this is true but someone told me that Mercury Sterndrives have a safety feature that after hitting the trailer button you must put the drive all the way down before you can trim up again. Please help!
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,090
Re: Trim up does not work but trailer and trim down does

Hello everyone, I am having a problem with my power trim. I have a 1987 Sea Ray Sorrento 19. As of right now my trim up does not work at all. The trailer button works perfectly fine as does the trim down work great. The trim up was working a couple of days ago just fine.

When I pulled it out the water yesterday I was at the ramp and pushed the trailer button to raise it all the way up. Took it out the water and went home.

I immediately gave the bottom of the boat and the drive an acid wash to get the alge off so it would not dry. Then rinsed the bottom and the drive off with water from my hose and went inside to let dry. A couple hours later I went to lower the drive to let the rest of the water drain. After it drained I pressed the trim up button to raise it and NOTHING!

I am wondering if the acid wash to the drive did something to the trim limit switch or is there a safety feature of some kind. I dont know if this is true but someone told me that Mercury Sterndrives have a safety feature that after hitting the trailer button you must put the drive all the way down before you can trim up again. Please help!

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... I donno if the acid bath was the cause, but the limit switch IS the Problem....

Nothing stops it from goin' up, as you state, after my hi-light...
 

stonyloam

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
5,827
Re: Trim up does not work but trailer and trim down does

Only two possibilities here: Since your trailer works your trim up solenoid is OK. So it is either your control switch or your trim limit circuit. 99% of the time it is the TL circuit. To check: Back near the transom locate two black wires coming through the transom plate, one goes into a connector with a purple/white wire, the other into a connector with two blue/white wires. Unplug the two black wires and with a short wire jumper between the two connectors. Try the trim. If it works, your problem is the trim limit circuit. You can try cleaning the terminals on the black wires to see if that helps. If not take a close look at the wires coming out of the trim limit switch (round disk on PORT side of gimbal ring). If they look OK you may be able to remove the switch disassemble and clean it to get it to work. If you jumper between the wires in the switch you will be able to check the wires to the connector. If you do remove the switch, mark it well so you can get it back in the same position. If you do get it to work, check the length of the trim rams (measure center to center of bolts) at max trim up, 21 3/4 inches Alpha I, 20 3/4 inches Gem II. Good luck Oh! The unit is sealed so the acid should have no impact.
 
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