Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

[nocolon]

The trim won't work on my 4.3 OMC. It clicks so I don't think its the silenoid. Plenty of power in the battery also. Any ideas?

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

I bet it is the switch
have you applied 12v to the trim motor?

 

[nocolon]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

I haven't. Is the switch located after the solenoid?

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

a clicking does not mean the relay/solenoid is good
i was talking about the solenoid/switch

 

[nocolon]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

I'm not real savvy when it comes to these boats and I don't have a manual. The part I 'believe' is the solenoid is on the top part of the engine--at least, that is what is doing the clicking noise when the switch on the handle is pressed.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

yes, there are 2 relays in there
swap them around

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

What year is this 4.3L OMC, do you have the single unit with the relays and circuit breaker as one piece?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

Unhook the battery and clean all the connections on the relays.If it clicks when pressing the trim switch then the switch is most likely not the problem.
Year of this setup would help.....

 

[nocolon]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

Thanks for everyone's input! I did clean all the connections. It is an 89 model and there do appear to be two switches--the first is the one doing the clicking when the trim switch is pressed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

I guess you have an 89 boat, but an 88 engine and drive package (common in boats) because the 89 didn't have the 2 solenoids for up and down and the 88 does. Click here for the wiring diagram showing the 2 solenoids.
First thing you need to do is make sure the 50A fuse that goes from the starter to the solenoids is good. If it's blown, the relays will still click, but they won't have power to send to the motor.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

It's been my experience that clicking solenoids = bad ground, the solenoid may be doing exactly what it should and either your trim motor lost it's ground or the 12v feed wire from the solenoid has bad connection at trim motor.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

The 2 50 amp fuses are in black rubber boots just behind the solenoids...They should have metal clips that hold them in place.
Also you can find the trim pump and follow the wires from it towards the motor and you will find where it plugs into the wiring harness.(2 wire Connection)
I have seen that connection be corroded and cause the problem.
Plus once you find that you can use some jumper wires from the battery to verify the pump itself is working.

 

[nocolon]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

The fuses are good. Is the trim motor connected to the hull of the boat at the rear? If I'm correct its connected directly above the hydraulic pump, right. Their are three wires going to that motor-one green, one black, and one blue. Is the green the ground and the blue the hot--for testing it with a jumper to see if it works?

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

Is the trim motor connected to the hull of the boat at the rear? If I'm correct its connected directly above the hydraulic pump, right.

The trim motor can be mounted anywhere on the transom or even next to the engine, as long as the hoses reach.

Black = Ground
Blue = Up = blue sky
Green = Down = green grass

Hook the battery ground to black
Hook the hot wire from the battery to Blue and the drive should go up, hook it to green and it should go down.

 

[nocolon]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

Many thanks Don. Yes, it is connected directly above the pump. After a few huny-dos and snow shoveling I'll give this a try.

 

[nocolon]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

Looks like its the motor. Its mounted above the hydraulic pump. Is there a trick to pulling off that motor?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

The trick is to take out three bolts and pull it off.

Sorry that didn't sound bery nice.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Trim won't work on 4.3 OMC

Sounds like you might be pat this point but.....
Here's a post "How TO - Troubleshoot your Tilt/Trim (OMC Cobra)" troubleshooter from the OEM manual...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=286853&highlight=omc+trim