Re: 85 Force Tilt/Trim
I assume that by motor turns fine you mean the starter motor and engine turns over. To avoid confusion, Motors are always electric, Engines burn fuel. If the tilt motor was working you would hear it. If it is jammed, it will hum for a short time then pop the circuit breaker. If that's the case, check for a jammed pump or motor armature. Rust on the armature can do this.
First check the circuit breaker if there is one. It will be on the lower shroud near the starter relay. Push the reset button on the side. Next, recheck the battery terminals. If they get a little corroded, there is a high resistance connection and the motor sometimes won't turn. I usually put a ss 3/8 lockwasher under the wire terminal to ensure a good connection. Next check the switch. If it proves ok, reverse the relays, if the motor now functions the down relay is bad. Relays are a high current capacity switch and the contacts can get burned to the point where they will not function. Sometimes they stick in the open position also. Relays can be bought at your Mercury dealer, electic supply house or local junkyard in GMC autos. Specifically, those in Buicks are best.
If it was functioning when you put it up for the winter, it is unlikely that the motor has gone bad unless the seal had failed and water was in it. It is much more likely that exposed external wiring has the problem Check all them first. To double check the motor though, remove the connector from the down relay (has the GREEN WIRE) and jump a hot momentarily to the heavy wire connection going to the motor, inside the connector. If the motor runs, it is good.
If the motor is running and the tilt doesn't go down, first make sure the oil level is full. Then try pushing real hard (It takes a lot but can be done) on the engine leg to move it down some. Sometimes this loosens up things and the tilt will now function
