Power trim won't trim UP, only down

[joxur223]

Hey all,

New boat owner. I inherited a 15' aluminum bass boat from my father in law. It has a 40hp Mercury outboard. Dated around the mid-90s. I had it serviced late last year and used it about a half dozen times. Stored the outboard all the way down, resting on the ground, during the winter. Early spring, I was prepping and looking things over and realized that the power trim, either using the button on the outboard or the button on the throttle, would not let me trim UP at all. Trimming down works. Not only will it not work to trim up, but the motor doesn't even seem to be engaged. However, if I loosen the screw that locks it in place, I can lift it up just fine. I've cleaned the contacts on the battery and made sure they are charged. Also looked at the power fluid at the base of the motor, appears to be topped off. Wondering if I definitely need to take it to the shop or if it's something obvious I'm missing.

Thanks!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Power trim won't trim UP, only down

Hey all,

New boat owner. I inherited a 15' aluminum bass boat from my father in law. It has a 40hp Mercury outboard. Dated around the mid-90s. I had it serviced late last year and used it about a half dozen times. Stored the outboard all the way down, resting on the ground, during the winter. Early spring, I was prepping and looking things over and realized that the power trim, either using the button on the outboard or the button on the throttle, would not let me trim UP at all. Trimming down works. Not only will it not work to trim up, but the motor doesn't even seem to be engaged. However, if I loosen the screw that locks it in place, I can lift it up just fine. I've cleaned the contacts on the battery and made sure they are charged. Also looked at the power fluid at the base of the motor, appears to be topped off. Wondering if I definitely need to take it to the shop or if it's something obvious I'm missing.

Thanks!

Trim relays are just about the same size as your engine starting relay (solenoid). Probably, if the designers did their "time and motion study" like they get paid big bucks to do, they will all be the same part....thereby dealer and all only has to stock one part to do all 3 jobs.

Now. Look around the engine and you will easily find the engine starting solenoid that feeds power to the starter. Look around some more and you should find a couple more critters of the same making somewhere else, sometimes on a plate, side by side. On higher HP engines there are blue/white and green white wires along with ground, black and power, purple or red.

One does the up the other down. Get on your up down switches and get your ear next to the switches. When it energizes you will hear a click and when working properly an immediate trim/tilt response. If you don't hear a click, it isn't getting power or has an internal open circuit.

Look at it and get back.

Mark

 

[RRitt]

Re: Power trim won't trim UP, only down

i think 40HP was 2w trim. as per above but look for a pair of black squarish things about 1" x 1" x 2" long. They usually have a tab and are bolted down somewhere close to starter. these are your trim relays. Mercury used universal 5pin bosch relays. Same thing car places use for alarm and stereo installs. They cost like $2 each from stereo installers or ebay. get the ones that either say "waterproof" or have a bead of glue around base. put a new pair in and see if you trim system works.

 

[cwalls5656]

Re: Power trim won't trim UP, only down

Hello, i just went through the same thing. I changed the relays, cleaned terminals on battery, and terminals on starter. i took a teast light and checked power on green and blue wire at the trim motor, i released the manual screw and it would let me lift the motor up manually. i bought a new trim motor off ebay, for 52$. 9shops here wanted over 200$) it has a 1 yr warrenty, and there is a # on the ebay site where i called them to confirm correct motor for my boat. just go to ebay and type in power trim motor. the comapany is called either d&b or d&e electric ( most of their pics have a yellow background) they were helpful when i called

 

[aussieflash]

Re: Power trim won't trim UP, only down

Clean all relay/solenoid connections,put back on snug.Now see if it works....Fixed my problem,total cost $0.00.
If that doesnt solve problem id replace relay/solenoid.