Adding a cowl trim switch to a 1998 Mercury/Force 40 hp

[ChevyFred]

I have a 1998 Mercury/Force 40 hp that has the plug for a trim switch on the motor cowl. I found one on ebay and installed it . When i hooked up the wires i had a red one without anywhere to plug into. I tried to find a wiring diagram for this. Does anyone have one? i hooked up the red wire to power the switch and the trim would start to move but the wires all got real hot real quick. Anyone know whats wrong?

 

[gm280]

:welcome: ChevyFred, nice having you aboard...

When you installed the switch was there some type relay as well. Because the wires getting hot indicates that the wire you are using can't support the current the trim motor is drawing. So maybe you need to refer to the manufacturer's shop manual for your engine to verify how to install such a switch for the trim unit... JMHO!

 

[Silvertip]

Shouldn't need to add any relays. The cowl switch only needs to be the same type and wired in parallel with the switch on the throttle/shift lever. Tap into the existing trim wires observing colors and position on the two switches.