Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

[woody619]

I just got this new boat that's IO and am figuring out the switches. Is the tilt or trim supposed to work when engines not running or does it only work when the engines running? Because it's not working now when it's off. Thanks

 

[71-South]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

Mine works all the time - even when the key isn't in.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

depends on how it is wired. if powered thru ignition, it will not work.

 

[pillsy]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

Mine works all the time aswell! Well the up trim is not working right now, but thats something else I have to fix. When it was working properly it would work even if the key was out. Battery hot.

 

[oshkoshboating]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

woody619 - check your battery - if you have two sets of wires on each post, then more than likely you can trim up/down without ignition on.

 

[pat8839]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

Mine does not work if the key is not in the ignition-engine does not have to be on but the key must be turned just enough to get the "BEEP" and light up the gauges. After that the gauge works just fine

 

[JimS123]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

The trim has to work with the engine off. It should never have been wired any other way. How else can you put the boat on and off the trailer? When you get it home in the garage, the outdrive should be lowered. It would be pretty silly if you had to put muffs on in the garage every time you come or go.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

I have an outboard , but the tilt works with or without the key

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

MINE ONLY WORKED WITH key on, i switched the wires in the control box and i added a switch at the motor.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

On I/Os, the key needs to be in the "run" position. On O/Bs, the trim switch on the motor works, the one in the lever doesn't.

 

[bowler]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

Mine works without key. Bit of a hassle otherwise surely...

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

mine works without the key on and the engine not running.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

I had an I/O that had to have the key in the run position for trim to work but the engine did not have to be running. That would be hard on the u-joints. I rewired it so that it would work without it though.

My current boat, an I/O doesn't need the key in to work.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

Mine works all the time, no key required.

 

[QC]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

On I/Os, the key needs to be in the "run" position. On O/Bs, the trim switch on the motor works, the one in the lever doesn't.

This only depends on wiring . . . as is evident from this thread, many boats are wired many different ways. Individual boat builders even do things differently. Standard Mercruiser I/O installation instructions have trim and tilt wired directly to the battery

But I have owned I/Os that required the key for trim and tilt, so . . . . this is absolutely a matter of how the boat is wired, plus a matter of opinion on what is right. No solid answer

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Is tilt / trim supposed to work when engines off?

and still all we know is its an I\O.
could be a volvo,could be merc,starpower,BMW,yamaha, just dunno, could be an antique OMC.
could also be how the guy that rigged it felt that day when the trim got wired up.