1974 omc stern drive Not going down

[Clark75]

HI all am new to the site. Let me start from the begging. I have a 1974 reinell cabin cruiser with a 351 it was sitting for 12 years when I got it. The motor turns and the stern drive did go up and down. For some reason the stern drive wont go back down. if I hit the down switch nothing happens. If I hit the up it will try to go up but it is raised all the way up. I have changed the motor for a new one thinking that was the problem. To my dismay it still doesn't work. :facepalm: Could it be the switch its self that has gone out? After all it is 39 years old hence why I replaced the motor for the stern drive. Any sugestions or fixes would be greatly appreciated.. :joyous:

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 1974 omc stern drive Not going down

Can you hear the down solenoid click when you hit the toggle? If not you will need to check for supply juice to the solenoid. If no juice at the solenoid connection, then check your toggle switch. If you have 12 v to the solenoid check the high amp input connection of the solenoid, then check the high amp output side of the solenoid. If you have juice all along the path described, then pull and clean the two wire connector from the solenoids to the tilt motor. They tend to corrode a bit but usually it's the otherway around. The outrive will go down because it takes less amps than it does to go up. Bottom line, it is most likely either your toggle, the solenoid itself or the motor connector plug.

Another hint. Never hit the down toggle and hold it till the drive bottoms out. You WILL bust something. Always bump it down in stages.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1974 omc stern drive Not going down

... just for grins, you may try manually lifting the drive - removing the quadrant gear and resetting it lowered and reattaching the drive. Then see if it goes down and up as Boom suggests in "bumps."

Every once in a while the Stringer tilts seem to stuck at "all-the-way" up or down.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Clark75]

Re: 1974 omc stern drive Not going down

Thanks a lot for replying. No I cannot hear anything in the solenoid . I am leaning towards the switch I will take it out and switch them with the up. Then if it goes down ill know its the toggle if still a novo then I will trace it down as suggested . Ill let you. Know thank for the info guys.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 1974 omc stern drive Not going down

I wouldn't bother to try switching lead. Just go back and identify the down solenoid (the up and down usually sit side by side) and identify the the switched wire terminal and test it with a test lite while someone hits your down switch. If you have power there but no clicking of the solenoid, then you either have corroded connections or a bad solenoid.

Solenoids are extremely simple switches. I have actually had them click but not send juice through to the output side. In one case I drilled the rivets holding it together, and removed the plunger and lapped it in to the contacts, using valve grinding compound and a cordless drill. Then I bolted it back together with some small screws and nuts. It worked like new.