Motor won't trim up.

miller92063

Cadet
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May 29, 2013
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17
I have a 91celebrity with a 5.7. I can trim the motor down, but not up. Would this just be the button? Maybe a cut or split wire? Anyone else had this issue?
 

Chef Shawn

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jul 15, 2012
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Re: Motor won't trim up.

Can you trim up with the trailer button?
 

dubs283

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Re: Motor won't trim up.

I have a 91celebrity with a 5.7. I can trim the motor down, but not up. Would this just be the button? Maybe a cut or split wire? Anyone else had this issue?

lots of people have this issue - could be a bad button, more likely its:

- a faulty solenoid
- faulty trim limit switch, or
- faulty wiring

do you hear any clicking when you try to trim up?? does the drive go up with the trailer button??
 

miller92063

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May 29, 2013
Messages
17
Re: Motor won't trim up.

There is no trailer button which is annoying. A second button would def help figuring out the problem, but no. There is also no click, no noise, and no attempt when I hold the button up. Gonna pull the throttle off and see if somehow maybe a wire got cut in there.

Where is the solenoid for the trim?
 

miller92063

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May 29, 2013
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Re: Motor won't trim up.

Also the trim level gauge is still working so I believe that eliminates the trim level sensor.
 

stonyloam

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Re: Motor won't trim up.

You should have a way to raise the outdrive all the way up. Is your trim button a two position switch, in other words does it have a detent, where if you push really hard past the first stop the outdrive goes all the way up? You have two round switches on the gimbal ring on the outdrive. The one on the port side is the trim limit, and the one on the starboard side is the position sensor. The gauge working has nothing to do with your problem. Chances are that you have a problem with the trim limit circuit.
 

stonyloam

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Re: Motor won't trim up.

Gonna pull the throttle off and see if somehow maybe a wire got cut in there

Do not mess with the throttle until you check out the trim limit circuit! Go to the stern and locate two black wires that come through the transom that go into two connectors: one with a purple/white wire and one with 2 blue/white wires. Unplug the black wires and with a short piece of insulated wire, jumper between the connectors. Try the switch, if it works the problem is the trim limit circuit.
 

Don S

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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Here is the troubleshooting info for the trim, including the wiring diagram.
Assuming you actually have the Alpha I Gen II outdrive. You don't really say what drive you have.
It will work for other drives, but you should know what drive you have as well.

View attachment A1G2 Trim Troublelshooting.pdf

One note, the drive trims up and down, not the motor.
 

miller92063

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
17
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Ok. Checked the Solenoids and they were both strong.

Anyone know a slick way to check the switch?
 

stonyloam

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Mar 13, 2009
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5,830
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Did you try bypassing the trim limit circuit like suggested above? If the bypass works then it is not the switch. BTW if you do not have a trailer switch, then how do you raise the outdrive all the way up?
 

miller92063

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
17
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Here is the troubleshooting info for the trim, including the wiring diagram.
Assuming you actually have the Alpha I Gen II outdrive. You don't really say what drive you have.
It will work for other drives, but you should know what drive you have as well.

View attachment 196463

One note, the drive trims up and down, not the motor.

Thank you for this diagram by the way!!
 

stonyloam

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Mar 13, 2009
Messages
5,830
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Anyone know a slick way to check the switch?

If you locate the purple/white trim wire that connects to the black trim limit switch wire in the stern, unplug the black wire and with a voltmeter to the connector and ground you should read 12V when you push the switch.
 

miller92063

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
17
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Feel like an idiot. Boating my whole life and never understood what the "trailer" switch was for on the throttle. It does exist on this boat and does work up and down.
 

miller92063

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
17
Re: Motor won't trim up.

I just bypassed the trim limit switch and it worked. I wont have time to fix that switch so I guess I will be leaving it that way for a bit.
Will that create any issues down the road?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Motor won't trim up.

Won't cause any problems as long as you know it's not there.
If you trim too high, the prop comes out of the water, really obvious problem.
 
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