Unusual Trim/Tilt Problem

Hello,

I have a 1998 Stingray 180RS with a mercruiser 3.0, Alpha One. Just purchased the boat. Here is the situation:

I took the boat out on the water for the first time and the trim/tilt stopped working. I pulled the cover in the rear to find the ground wire arcing with the positive wire on the solenoid. I pulled the boat into the launch and manually raised the tilt/trim by removing the wire and placing it against the positive wire because the switch was no longer actuating the tilt/trim.

I thought that the solenoids had been fried because of the arcing so I replaced them. To no avail, I still am unable to use the tilt/trim and now I can't even apply direct voltage to raise and lower the tilt/trim. So... I went back to the switch on the throttle and unplugged the PT/T wires. I tried wiring them into a simple toggle switch to see if that would help determine that it was the switch... No Luck.

I am at a loss for what could be causing the problem. I think at this point I have 1. Burnt out the tilt/trim motor 2. There is a disconnect somewhere between the switch and solenoids.

I was trying to get the boat out for the fourth of July but it doesn't look good at this point. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Pete

Re: Unusual Trim/Tilt Problem

look at the heavy positive power wire feeding the solinoids. It should be conected to a 1 inch square looking terminal. That terminal is a actual fuse. inside is i belive a 100 amp fuse. if it is blown you will need a new one. If you have a 12 volt test light or 12v multimeter check and see if you are getting 12volts to either heavy red terminal on either solinoid. then check to see if you have 12volts on the heavy red wire that is attached to the square block. if you have power there and not at the solinoids you have found your problem. You can temporarily bypass the fuse till you get a new one ordered for the weekend but you always run the risk of another short and there not being a fuse to protect the wiring.

Re: Unusual Trim/Tilt Problem

If not the fuse...Try tapping the top edge of the T/T motor with a small hammer. DON'T pound it just some light tapping. If this makes any difference it is probably corrosion/rust inside the motor and usually the brushes. That's a highly technical diagnostic trick.

Re: Unusual Trim/Tilt Problem

Try jumping just the trim pump motor right off the battery.

There are 3 wires green=down blue=up black for ground
ground it off the battery and use a jumper wire from the positive side and touch the green wire it should run, then touch the blue wire it should run if it dont motor is toast, if it runs you know its in the wiring start tracing back. good luck!

Re: Unusual Trim/Tilt Problem

There is a 20 amp fuse on the red wire going to the solenoid. If you had a short that is likely blown. Good luck.