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Trim troubles

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cnewton700

Member
96 Mercruiser 4.3 L 4bb V-6 Vortec with Alpha One outdrive. The up and down trim switch didn't work at all. Tried jumping solinoids and didn't even get a clicking sound. So I replaced the positive wire from the battery and the big fuse on the end of it. Then I replaced both solinoids, made sure the fluid level was good and jumped it again. Both directions it made all the right noises like it usually does when trimming but that's all it did. It didn't move at all. What do I check next?
 
When you say it "sounds" like it should,

Do you mean the pump is running or the solenoids are clicking?

When you say you are jumping, explain how you are doing this. Are you jumping across the large solenoid terminals or are you jumping from the large positive solenoid terminal to the small blue or green wire on the up/down solenoid?

What condition is your battery?
After the work you have done, does the trim switch on the shift control work?

When you last trimmed it up all the way, did you keep the trailer button depresses a little long possibly causing an over pressure condition?
If this is the case, You may have to loosen one or both of the hydraulic lines on the pump to relieve the pressure. Then the trim pump may work again.
 
kghost said:
When you say it "sounds" like it should,

Do you mean the pump is running or the solenoids are clicking?

When you say you are jumping, explain how you are doing this. Are you jumping across the large solenoid terminals or are you jumping from the large positive solenoid terminal to the small blue or green wire on the up/down solenoid?

What condition is your battery?
After the work you have done, does the trim switch on the shift control work?

When you last trimmed it up all the way, did you keep the trailer button depresses a little long possibly causing an over pressure condition?
If this is the case, You may have to loosen one or both of the hydraulic lines on the pump to relieve the pressure. Then the trim pump may work again.
Click to expand...
Thank you for responding. You sound like you know your way around a trim system, to say the least. I'll answer each question as best I can and hope to hear back from you.
1 The fluid level is up to the line on the plastic reservoir
2 It's in the down position. I was able to manually lift it and tie it off to trailer it home. I let it back down to drain and change the oil.
3 By it sounds like it should I mean the continuous humming you hear on any boat when the trim is being raised or lowered and working properly. If the solenoids are making a clicking sound it's being drowned out by the louder humming sound.
4 I'm jumping across the large solenoid terminals. The top one: hot to the large blue wire coming from the pump. Bottom: hot to the large green wire coming from the pump. Have not touched the small blue or green wire.
5 Battery is a one week old Die Hard Marine deep cycle w/1,000 starting amps at 32 degrees.
6 I just went outside to double check the trim switch on the shift control and it is not working however...

****I ran the battery down to 11 volts over the last couple days, compression test, running lights etc. all prior to replacing the solenoids so last night I put it on a charger. It's currently at 13.1 volts. And the trim is working now both up and down but only when jumping across the large solenoid terminals****

So, it seems my trim problem has been reduced to finding out why it doesn't work using the switch on the shift control

Thanks again kghost
 
The trim pump assembly (by assembly I am referring to the pump/reservoir, solenoids, wiring & bracket) are wired to power source with a fuse in the harness. But since it works when you jumper solenoids, fuse must be good.

There is a 3 wire red rubber plug by the solenoids with green, blue & red wires. That lead goes forward to the remote control. You can unplug it there (at the pump) & jump red to green or red to blue on the pump end & verify it runs ok. Verify both wire combinations. If yes, reconnect plug.

Then gain access to the end near the control & again jumper the harness end going aft like you did in above step. If it runs ok, problem is in control handle. Since you have no up or down I suspect broken red wire in control handle. All 3 wires move & bend with each movement of throttle handle.
 
Droid said:
The trim pump assembly (by assembly I am referring to the pump/reservoir, solenoids, wiring & bracket) are wired to power source with a fuse in the harness. But since it works when you jumper solenoids, fuse must be good.

There is a 3 wire red rubber plug by the solenoids with green, blue & red wires. That lead goes forward to the remote control. You can unplug it there (at the pump) & jump red to green or red to blue on the pump end & verify it runs ok. Verify both wire combinations. If yes, reconnect plug.

Then gain access to the end near the control & again jumper the harness end going aft like you did in above step. If it runs ok, problem is in control handle. Since you have no up or down I suspect broken red wire in control handle. All 3 wires move & bend with each movement of throttle handle.


Since the solenoids are clicking and the pump is making noise but not moving, you might have an issue with the trim motor itself or possibly a bad hydraulic connection. Check the trim motor for proper operation, inspect the hydraulic lines for leaks, and ensure the rams aren’t seized. My classmate was worried about his economics assignment, so I suggested DoMyPaper, a professional essay writing service, which he found here https://domypaper.com/ and He received a well-structured, thoroughly researched paper that impressed his professor. The service was affordable, and the delivery was on time, making it a great option for students.
Click to expand...
Yes, you are right.
 
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