Replacing Tilt/Trim Switch

[jpw66]

Hi,

Could someone please tell me how I can replace the tilt trim switch in a Mercuiser throttle handle?

Even dis-assebly steps would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[stonyloam]

First off you need to Make sure the problem is the switch. The vast majority of time when the trim does not work it is the trim limit on the outdrive that is the problem. Does the "trailer" switch work? If it does you will want to bypass the trim limit to check the trim switch. Go to the stern and look for two black wires coming through the transom, one going into a connector with a purple/white wire, the other into a terminal with 2 blue/white wires. Unplug and jumper between the two connectors with a short piece of wire. Try the trim switch, if it works your trim switch is OK, and you have a bad trim limit switch or wiring.

 

[tpenfield]

If it is the switch, posting a picture of the throttle control would be good as there are a few different models.

 

[wrvond]

For the Quicksilver Commander 3000, push the throttle only button in and push the throttle handle forward. You can then pull the throttle only button out. You may need a small screwdriver to pop it out. Remove the nut inside and pull the handle off. You can then unplug the handle from the panel. Remove the lower Philips head screw near the bottom of the handle to remove the release handle and spring. Under the release handle is another Philips head screw to remove. This will allow you to separate the two halves of the handle. You can then remove the trim switch.

 

[sogood]

I had an issue with the trim switch on my Quicksilver control, in that it was a bit "hit and miss", due I suppose to wear/age and it's rather lightweight construction. So, as part of a refurb, I replaced it with a heavier duty, two position momentary rocker switch, mounted on the dash. It's easily accessible and just meant drawing the switch wires down through the throttle handle and re-routing them. The new switch works fine and any future replacement would be less fiddly and more straightforward. Just a thought...........

 

[Starcraft5834]

as others have said, your assuming the switch on the throttle is bad when in fact the solenoid switch or both ( up/down) located on the trim pump housing at the stern might be bad... or the trim pump itself might be toast.. test the pump by manually jumping wires from your battery directly to the trim pump switches, there's two of them,, after you have grounded, touch pos wire to blue- "sky" usually operates trim up, then same for green, "grass" ie- down, usually will lower the unit.... if both work, then u know the pump is good... if you have gotten that far, then thouroughly clean your exsisting connections, it might work just fine... gunk and corrosion wont allow electrical charges to pass very well, after clean up if no go, then someplace between the pump and the throttle might have a bad wire.. or connection at throttle might be bad.. good luck.

Stony gave u the best advise thus far,, IMHO, start there.... id bet in most cases something is loose...

 

[thumpar]

The switch in the handle would be for trim only and not tilt and since you didn't say tilt is not working I would not thing the switch is the first thing to look at. You can bypass the trim limit switch on the drive and try then. If it works you know that is the problem. I would not be moving any switches around either. It is nice to have the trim on the handle so I can throttle up while trimming at the same time and keep the other hand on the wheel.

 

[Bayou Dave]

If you have a Quicksilver Commander let me know by PM. I can email you the manual. As others have said first make sure it is the handle that is the problem. Does it look like this:

 

[sogood]

as others have said, your assuming the switch on the throttle is bad when in fact the solenoid switch or both ( up/down) located on the trim pump housing at the stern might be bad... or the trim pump itself might be toast.. test the pump by manually jumping wires from your battery directly to the trim pump switches, there's two of them,, after you have grounded, touch pos wire to blue- "sky" usually operates trim up, then same for green, "grass" ie- down, usually will lower the unit.... if both work, then u know the pump is good... if you have gotten that far, then thouroughly clean your exsisting connections, it might work just fine... gunk and corrosion wont allow electrical charges to pass very well, after clean up if no go, then someplace between the pump and the throttle might have a bad wire.. or connection at throttle might be bad.. good luck.

Stony gave u the best advise thus far,, IMHO, start there.... id bet in most cases something is loose...

​I take on board what you're saying. In my case, the throttle control is the chrome type quicksilver model, with the switch mounted in a recess on top of the handle. I had already replaced the original solenoids which were sticking and checked all connections and associated components. The little rocker switch was very obviously worn with no clearly defined contact being made. I shorted out the switch and everything worked perfectly, so a new switch was called for. I felt the initial design, with the switch sitting down in it's little well, was leaving it open to water ingress, so for that reason, a heavier duty switch, relocated seemed to be the obvious answer.

​The new switch is easily accessible for operation and maintenance. It works fine for me, but each to their own. just my experience. Thanks for the input.

 

[Robert Sea]

If you have a Quicksilver Commander let me know by PM. I can email you the manual. As others have said first make sure it is the handle that is the problem. Does it look like this:

Dave, I know this is an old thread but I have the exact same remote and the trim rocker switch is loose. Even a small wave bounce can trigger it to start to trim down. I'm trying to find a direct replacement or just a new switch but I'm not sure what model this is. Any chance you know?

Thanks,
Robert