1998 120 Force Tilt Trim:Goes Up,Not Down

I have a 1998 120 outboard Force on a Bayliner Capri. The trim will rise up, and only sometimes come back down. I do not know if the problem is a relay, the switch in the throttle are or what exactly. The threads on this site have been useful, but I need to know where the the relay is located in the engine in order to check the relays. Can anyone tell me where these are located and can the relays and/or swithch be purchased at NAPA/Autozone?
Thank you.

Re: 1998 120 Force Tilt Trim:Goes Up,Not Down

It's probably a relay. Listen for a clicking noise under the motor hood as you activate the switch. There are two. Swap them and if the problem reverses, you have a bad realy. If so, replace both. If one is worn out, the other will be soon. NAPA will be able to help with the Sierra part, not sure about AutoZone. My bet is that cars use them too, but as to cross-referencing it's anybody's guess.

It should be this one. (iboats sells Sierra too. )

Re: 1998 120 Force Tilt Trim:Goes Up,Not Down

It is a standard 5 pin relay. You gan get them in the junkyards out of Fords and Buicks at least. The only difference is that the Force relays have a mounting lug molded in. The relays are located in the lower engine pan near where the battery cables enter it.

If it is not the relays, try pushing down on the engine leg a little if you are out of the boat, or even the hood real hard if you are in the boat; sometimes this frees it up to work. Also do not tilt all the way up. this seems to make the problem worse. When it happened to mine, I would work the switch up and down rapidly once or twice and it would most times get it working again. It may have something to do with a stuck relief valve in the pump body.

Re: 1998 120 Force Tilt Trim:Goes Up,Not Down

it could also be pressure lock. if it only locks after being fully tilted and it goes away after a second or two then it is back pressure preventing the shuttle valve from triggerring the release. Nothing to get upset about, just don't keep running the switch after it is fully tilted so that you don't build up a lot of back pressure, wait a second or two for the pressure to equalize, and then lower engine. On the bright side - the better shape your seals are in the more likely your are to generate and hold high pressures.