Troubleshooting trim/tilt problem: 1995 Johnson 225. Down works. Up just stopped.

[btravlin2]

Hi......I'd been hearing intermittent, unpleasant metallic sounds on the up cycle. Today, both trim/tilt up quit.....no motor sound, nothing. I have the original manual. That section is pretty deep. Does anyone have a quick idea of what this sounds like, and how I should zero in on it?

Thanks in advance.....

 

[daselbee]

Follow the large green and blue wires from the trim motor/transom bracket back to their plug connection at the engine.
Do what you have to to rig +12v and GND to the trim motor side of the connector.
Use large wire.
If you hook +12v to the blue, and GND to the green, the T&T will go up.
Reverse the connections, and it will go down.
If you get it to work direct connected like that, then the problem is in the relays. If it won't work direct connected, you need a new trim motor for starters.

 

[btravlin2]

Thanks for the reply. Because of the "intermittent, unpleasant metallic sounds", I'm thinking a full rebuild is in order. Drag!

 

[daselbee]

Well, see if the motor turns first. The intermittent, metallic sounds could simply be a trim motor coming apart internally.

 

[glenn property of pam]

you said theres no noise from the trim while going up. Now I agree with daselbee 100% if neither up or down makes the pump run. Im reading your original post as only the up does nothing yet you don't say what happens when you press down but you imply it works. If down still makes the pump run then the metallic sound could be a relay vibrating under the cowling. This would indicate that the relay has a bad connection to the mounting block, is internally breaking down or one of the cables feeding the relay box is loose or dirty causing a voltage drop. Daselbee idea of direct testing the motor is the best way to start rather than guessing and ordering parts.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

.... If down still makes the pump run then the metallic sound could be a relay vibrating under the cowling. This would indicate that the relay has a bad connection to the mounting block, is internally breaking down or one of the cables feeding the relay box is loose or dirty causing a voltage drop. Daselbee idea of direct testing the motor is the best way to start rather than guessing and ordering parts.

Yes..... with the cowl off you should at least be able to hear the up relay click when you press the up trim switch. By taking 12 volts direct to the trim motor you'll at least be able to narrow down the problem.

 

[btravlin2]

The motor runs in the down mode. No sound whatsoever in up. No relay click. I will hook up the battery direct to the motor to bypass the relay and see what happens.

 

[daselbee]

If it runs in down, then it will likely run in UP when direct connected.
Next step would be to swap relays.
There are two, located above the electrical connections panel on the port side rear of the block, between the OMS pump and the cylinder head.
Right below the starter solenoid.

Follow the click for DOWN....

 

[btravlin2]

Yep......swapped the relays and now I have up, but nothing on down. I ordered a relay. I was going to dig into the bad one and try cleaning the contacts, but without following the wiring (it's tight in there) I couldn't tell which was the bad one. I tried removing one at a time to isolate the bad one, but without both in there, nothing worked. They must interact.

 

[daselbee]

Yes, they do interact.

 

[btravlin2]

Problem solved. It was one of the relays. Put a new one in and......presto. Nice when it's that easy.

 

[daselbee]

Yeah, but what happened to your intermittent metallic sounds that you had figured was a sure sign of a rebuild of the TT unit.?

 

[btravlin2]

Good point. I still have that sound upon initiation of the "up" cycle, and it seems to be coming from the cylinders, not the motor. It lasts 2-3 seconds and then functions quietly all the way up through both trim and tilt. Only good, smooth sounds going down. After installing the relay, I checked the hydraulic oil. I cycled the tilt up and down 5 times, according to the manual, topping off the hydraulic oil each time. It only lacked a little. I'd like to see it last until late Fall, and then do the rebuild.