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Alpha One 1986 Trim Switch Problem

fastjeff

fastjeff

Gold Medal Contributor
The trim switch on the throttle handle will lower the drive but not raise it. The trailer switch will raise it, however. Not sure if the problem is in the switch or the wiring, and my worthless Seloc manual is no help.

Help!

Jeff
 
There are two plastic pucks on the sides of the outdrive at the gimbal ring....3:00 and 9:00 positions.

They each have two wires coming off them.

one should be labeled TL and the other TS

The TL is the trim limit switch. It is a rotary ON/OFF switch.

When the drive is all the way down and you press the trim up rocker switch on the control handle The TL switch is closed (on)

once the drive raises which in turn rotates the TL switch and it raises to a certain rotation amount the TL switch opens (OFF).

The TL switch has a 12 point protrusion that fits into the hinge pin which has a 12 point female pocket.

The hinge pins rotates when the drive moves up and down and turns the 12 point protrusion with it. The outside of the TL "puck" is held in place by two Phillips head screws in slots on the puck. The puck can be adjusted to the desired amount of movement of the outdrive by loosening the screws and turning the puck either CW or CCW.

ok now that you know what does what and how.

The TL switch is most likely bad. or broken wires, take a look and see if the wires are broken......if not then it is the switch

Need to purchase both the TL and TS from mercury if you get them from Mercury. Sold in pairs.

Bitch job to replace.
 
Bitch job to replace.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,..... I by-passed mine inside the hull, 'n now drive by the seat of my pants,....

Trim senders, 'n switches ain't worth replacin' for me,...
 
I did my friends this past spring, both sender and switch without removing the bellows or gimbal ring.

It was a bitch to get one of the 1/4=20 hex heads back in to secure the stainless steel cover that compresses the two half wedges but got it done....couple hours.........now it will be good for at least ten years.........
 
fastjeff said:
Thanks to both of you. I'll look into now that I've finally got the boat home.

Jeff
Click to expand...

This job can be done easily (Less than an hour) if all the screws come out of the senders. As for the ring and bolts that hold the wires in the transom assm. Yours will have two screws. You can purchase the new lock ring to hold the wires in the transom assm that only requires the lower screw.

You will need a 7/16 swivel socket to do this job. Not a 7/16 socket and a swivel. A one piece swivel and socket. Once you loosen the screws you have to take them all the way out as you will not be able to get the socket off.

Or you can just bypass the limit switch at the trim pump. As trim senders/Limits do not last and IMO are a waste.

Most props will blow a hole in the water before you can over trim the drive into the danger zone.
 
With my experience, most want what they have to work the way it was designed, even the trim.

Of course I am speaking to 99% fresh water only boat usage............salt water is another story............yuk!
 
I have the same issue with my 1986. it trims down with up/dwn on the throttle , but only trims up with the TRAILER button. you lost me with all that scientific mumble jumbo.... lol... what is the trailer button intended for anyways??
 
its because the trim limit switch went bad. its designed to stop raising the drive at a predetermined height. then you must use the trailer button to raise it up more
 
Bt Doctur said:
its because the trim limit switch went bad. its designed to stop raising the drive at a predetermined height. then you must use the trailer button to raise it up more
Click to expand...

oh, ... I will have to look into this. What are the pros/cons of using trailer button? switch is a difficult task? I will have to you tube it! lol
 
To by pass the trim limit switch is done by disconnecting the limit switch and jumping the control wiring.

Find the two black wires that are used for the trim limit switch coming from the transom. There are four, 2 for trim limit and 2 for trim sender.

Follow the two limit switch black wires to the trim pimp area, there should be two bullet connectors.

One of the connecting wires from the control handle should have a Purple with white strip (female bullet connector)
The other connection is also a female bullet connector and it has two wires, Blue with white stripe and a blue.

If you make a male bullet to male bullet jumper wire and connect it to the two female bullet connectors the trim rocker switch will control the trim up all the way up.
you will no longer need to push the trailer button at all.

This is not a fix............... This is a temporary bypass until you repair/replace the trim limit switch........

If you choose to leave it that way that is your business but I do not recommend it!!!!!!!!
 
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