1977 Johnson 200 HP

I have a 1977 Johnson 200 HP that will not lower with the tilt. I have drained the fluid from the tilt unit, used an air compressor to blow out all excess oil and any water (condensation) from the unit. The oil was clean but a little cloudy suggesting some water intrusion. I refilled the unit, cycled it up and down manually several times, and bled the air from the top oil fill plug. The motor tilts up smoothly, but will not lower with the motor. Both buttons on the control panel cause the motor to tilt up. I have removed the wires from the solenoid, scraped the connectors and terminals, and replaced, one at the time to avoid mixing up the wires. Once the motor is in the up position, it cannot be lowered manually unless I open the lower manual bleed screw on the right side.

Any suggestions?

Re: 1977 Johnson 200 HP

Welcome to iboats

You should have a 3 wire tilt motor.

Common wire (black or red)
Up Wire (should be green)
Down Wire (should be blue)

Test your trim motor by disconnecting the wires and going direct to 12 volts...... odds are your motor is fine and the trim relay wiring needs work.

Re: 1977 Johnson 200 HP

Thanks, Bob VT

I thought the blue wire was up (sky blue) and green was down (green grass). Does this old memory jogger not apply to the three-wire tilt motor?

Re: 1977 Johnson 200 HP

Regardless....... I always remember blue water below me and green grass grows up .......... just test the motor to eliminate that piece of the puzzle