Trim issue
- Thread starter Sean195
- Start date
Espos4
Well-Known Member
Don’t overlook your ground wire. Make sure it’s intact and secure.
A loose ground wire will give you lower current across the solenoid.
Everyone forgets to check/test the ground!
A loose ground wire will give you lower current across the solenoid.
Everyone forgets to check/test the ground!
got it!
Bt Doctur
Well-Known Member
I was having similar issues when I restored my 1989 23' Cobalt. I took out about a hundred yards of wiring that went nowhere and began cleaning things up. There were red wires that were spliced into other colors and as an example and nothing seemed correct. I ended up having to pull the wire harness down, open it up and trace almost every one. This is a mid-engine boat so the entire harness runs to the helm and then to the engine through another harness.
I had to replace the entire gimbal housing and transom plate so it was a perfect time to install a new trim gauge sender and limit switch. I've done them before so I was pretty familiar with the process but when I made all the connections I was having issues similar to yours. I tried everything and had my multimeter and continuity tester were working overtime, but nothing. As I was sitting there looking at it for about the 10th time something on the trim gauge wires (purple sleeve on wire) at the transom caught my eye and I decided to switch the 2 wires. (there are 2 bullet connectors one with the purple sleeve) BINGO! Everything worked! I don't know if the sleeve was on the wrong wire, if I wired to the gauge wrong or someone before me did but it fixed it and everything in that entire trim circuit works perfectly. According to the diagram I had it wired correctly but this worked.
Not sure if this is a fix for you but....
Shawn
I had to replace the entire gimbal housing and transom plate so it was a perfect time to install a new trim gauge sender and limit switch. I've done them before so I was pretty familiar with the process but when I made all the connections I was having issues similar to yours. I tried everything and had my multimeter and continuity tester were working overtime, but nothing. As I was sitting there looking at it for about the 10th time something on the trim gauge wires (purple sleeve on wire) at the transom caught my eye and I decided to switch the 2 wires. (there are 2 bullet connectors one with the purple sleeve) BINGO! Everything worked! I don't know if the sleeve was on the wrong wire, if I wired to the gauge wrong or someone before me did but it fixed it and everything in that entire trim circuit works perfectly. According to the diagram I had it wired correctly but this worked.
Not sure if this is a fix for you but....
Shawn
Thornton69
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2014
- 1,149
- Boat Info
- 1981 245 SDC
2021 Solar 420
- Engines
- '97 5.7 Bravo 2
'20 Merc 25 EFI Jet
Try swapping the green and blue wires from the (pump) motor at the solenoids to see if the problem reverses. Sounds a bit like a broken wire to or failed motor winding.
Loyd Dinneen
Active Member
- Jul 29, 2017
- 484
- Boat Info
- 1977 Sea ray 240 SDA cruiser w/ twin 470 mercs.
- Engines
- Twin 470 Mercruisers
Fighting the same problem on my 77 weekender 240 at first it would go up and not down now it will go down and not up. I had blown the small plastic pump hose and got oil all over and thats when everything reversed. The three button switch on the dash will only work on down and has power. I have cleaned the button connectors and replaced the solenoid(only has one). After fighting it for a couple weeks I finally gave it a rest and got a used switch unit which I have yet to test. Right now I am trying to get motivated as everytime I fix something something else breaks, dam boat does'nt want to go in the water.
Bt Doctur
Well-Known Member
If it`s the boat in your sig, start at the pump, with a jumper from the + battery touch the blue motor wire (up) ,then the green motor wire (down)
motor runs Y or N
Then touch the small studs on the solenoids, green and blue,
motor runs y or N
Power for the trim buttons starts at the 20A fuse in the bullet connector at the pump, that is what make the solenoids operate
Do you need that wiring ?
motor runs Y or N
Then touch the small studs on the solenoids, green and blue,
motor runs y or N
Power for the trim buttons starts at the 20A fuse in the bullet connector at the pump, that is what make the solenoids operate
Do you need that wiring ?
So maybe my solenoid is intermittent.
pump works fine when I jump to the big studs (green and then blue).
Worked fine when I jumped to small green stud, but When I jumped the small blue stud, it clicked. It would click a few times each time I jumped it and then it would run. So I need to replace the upper solenoid ?
edit: after a few minutes of tinkering, now it only clicks again (up solenoid).
I know the part numbers are on the back of the solenoid, but does anyone know the part number ? 4.3l v6. The current solenoid looks strange so it may not be the correct one anyway
pump works fine when I jump to the big studs (green and then blue).
Worked fine when I jumped to small green stud, but When I jumped the small blue stud, it clicked. It would click a few times each time I jumped it and then it would run. So I need to replace the upper solenoid ?
edit: after a few minutes of tinkering, now it only clicks again (up solenoid).
I know the part numbers are on the back of the solenoid, but does anyone know the part number ? 4.3l v6. The current solenoid looks strange so it may not be the correct one anyway
Last edited:
Yup, that's we were saying up above
Don't need a part number and it doesn't matter what engine you have - this is a trim pump. If you walk into a Merc store, they'll know exactly what you need (if your local stores are open right now). Otherwise, just google for Mercruiser trim pump solenoid - it'll come right up. Buy two and replace both - they're only about $20. But, if you want a part number, just go to any online Mercruiser retail site - this one is easy peasy!
Thornton69
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2014
- 1,149
- Boat Info
- 1981 245 SDC
2021 Solar 420
- Engines
- '97 5.7 Bravo 2
'20 Merc 25 EFI Jet
Not sure if it was mentioned or not, but there should be a fuse mounted on the solenoids that protects the main power feed. What side of that fuse are you jumping the motor from?
I jumped it through the fuse. I used the small stud on the solenoid which is connected to the fuse, so I think I ruled the fuse out. Fuse looked fine when I checked it. I ordered a solenoid so I will provide an update once that’s installed
New solenoid installed. It works as it should, but only allows me to trim ‘up’ about 3/4 of the way, then I have to use the trailer feature the rest of the way. Is this normal? Seeing as the trim never worked properly before this, I am not sure what my baseline is. I confirmed that the sender is set properly and got no change. Pic to show how far I can trim up with the switch on the throttle
Attachments
BillK2632
Well-Known Member
Either your trim sender or trim limit (or maybe both) need to be adjusted. Read this document, there is a process to adjust both. The trim limit switch controls how far up you can trim the drive and safely operate it. The trailer button is used to trim the drive all the way up when the engine is not running. You don't want to raise the drive past the trim range (using the trailer button) with the engine running, it can damage the u-joints.
If you used the link that Bill provided to adjust the length of the ram where the limit switch stops the pump, then from that point you're good. That's the most important thing to avoid costly damage. Then, use the sender switch to adjust the gauge (key "on").
Bt Doctur
Well-Known Member
from front pin to rear pin you measure 21 -3/4 adjusting the trim limit, The gauge is adjusted using the trim sender
https://www.google.com/search?clien...nt+setting#kpvalbx=_ZYeMXsOHGIqlytMPk9WJwAE45
https://www.google.com/search?clien...nt+setting#kpvalbx=_ZYeMXsOHGIqlytMPk9WJwAE45
I had similar problems (would not trim down) and traced problem back to a bad trim switch on the throttle. I took throttle apart and jumpered between the purple power wire and the green trim down wire and trim down worked. I cannot find a part number or the switch anywhere on the net. 2010 sundeck 260. Switch has up/down and a trailer button. Any ideas where to find?