I made a stupid mistake today!!!!

[dev6315]

OK. In a bit of haste, I was hurrying a little bit and was re-installing my trim pump. I had removed it to replace the cracked reservoir. When hooking everything back up, I accidentally crossed the high and low pressure hoses. I installed the gray on the UP port and the black on the DOWN. :smt021
OF COURSE, i noticed this too late and cycled the drive to make sure I was good with no leaks. After about 10 seconds I stopped, then went to try to raise or lower and NOTHING. I realized the dumb mistake I had made, switched the hoses, still nothing. Whats odd is the solenoids aren't even clicking. I checked and I have power at both fuses, I even installed a new inline 20amp fuse to make sure. I cleaned the harness connector terminals, still Nothing.
Did I destroy the pump????? What can I do now to further troubleshoot? I studied my shop manual and did everything they suggested. They do not have a section called "Your an idiot and switched the hoses!!!" Any help on this one is appreciated, i"ll try whatever is thrown out there. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bt Doctur]

switching hoses to reverse direction is not an issue. check the + and - cable connection at pump and battery.
jump the larger lugs to check pump power and operation. check trim wiring main fuse at the solenoid bracket.

 

[390x]

You didn't hurt the pump. You have an electrical issue of some kind.

 

[dev6315]

Ok good. Electrical issues are generally cheaper than a brand new pump. I found this site that offers a few good ideas for troubleshooting. Here is the link in case anyone else runs into a similar problem. http://amarket.com/chektrm.htm.
When I get to the boat tomorrow evening I will post back with what I find. Thanks 390x and Bt Doctur!!!!

 

[390x]

Not knowing what shape your pump is in, is it possible the brushes are going bad or something? I'm wondering if you gave the pump a bit of a knock if it would start working again. I've had this happen before when armatures/brushes start to go. However, because yours worked, and then stopped, I'd really suspect a fuse, even though you said the fuses are good to go. I've had solenoids fail as well, but they usually at least click when they don't work. The solenoids on the merc trim pumps are about as cheaply made as is possible. They're only about 20 bucks to replace, if necessary.

 

[fwebster]

There is an internal thermal circuit breaker in the trim motor. If you ran the trim system with the hoses reversed it is possible that the circuit breaker has blown. One of the symptoms is the solenoids failing to click with the motor is activated, so this is most likely a good starting point. You can jump the solenoid + primary to + secondary to test the circuit breaker. If the pump operates, then the circuit breaker is faulty and , unfortunately, the fix is to replace the motor or at least the field and frame assy.




Oh, if that won't work, I guess you can stick a carriage bolt in it to get it going again..............




Please note: that last comment is a joke; a carriage bolt won't do a damned thing but make a bad pump an ugly bad pump.

 

[dev6315]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know the motor itself had a built in breaker. I will check this evening to see what I can find. I am thinking the motor may be the culprit, still easier fix than a whole unit.
p.s. the carriage bolt was my first troubleshooting step, nothing...haha.

 

[dev6315]

Frank, 390x and Bt Doctur...Thank you for all the tips to troubleshoot this thing. I followed your jumping procedure and was able to determine that my trim UP solenoid was shot. I isolated it and found it worked perfectly by bypassing the solenoid. Luckily, the local marina had one in stock, hooked it up last night and she works perfect.
They say everything happens for a reason. I'm glad the solenoid went bad before I could do any major damage to the pump or motor by my Bonehead mistake of switching the hoses. Thanks again guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

 

[Throttlejockey]

A marina in Annville??? Is there a Quittapahilla Yacht Center?? Dang it, been here all my life and never thought to stop in there!!:grin::smt043

 

[dev6315]

Lakeside Marine in Colonial Park. Great little family run place that always seems to have what you need.

 

[Throttlejockey]

Awesome, thanks! I'll check them out. Need to pick up a few minor things before I head back down. Most places around here have NOTHING marine related so I end up either in Lancaster or Reading.