Trim not working properly after engine rebuild

[Chuck08]

I just discovered an issue with my trim system on the home stretch of a motor swap on my 1994 Marada. We pulled the lower unit, then the motor, swapped parts to a long block, placed the rebuilt motor in and replaced the lower unit. The issue is now seen as we tried to connect the trim cylinders.

Facing the rear of the boat from the ground the left cylinder is extended, about halfway, and the right one is retracted fully. I considered how hydraulics work on an equilibrium of pressure and connected the extended cylinder to the lower unit. Then I connected the battery and attempted to extend, raise, the trim. The button depresses and the solenoid clicks, the motor doesn't spin and the cylinders don't move. Well, that's not right...

When I press the retract, lower, button the solenoid clicks, motor runs, the right cylinder pulls in the fraction of an inch it has to go, and the left cylinder extends. That's DEFINITELY not right...

The trim system is separate from the other systems on the boat, I can operate it without connecting anything else to the battery. It, in my mind, must either be an electrical or hydraulic.

 

[alldodge]

While it is difficult, you can push one in and the other will come out.

But to your problem it might be your trim limit, use the trailer function. Otherwise look for bad connection, or relay, maybe forgot the ground wire on the trim pump

 

[AShipShow]

Dodge, I was thinking the same thing, but he said its clicking, which means its trying to do something which leads me to believe its within the trim limits on the sender... Hows your battery charge? Can you move the cylinders by hand at all?? maybe one is siezed up...

 

[tpenfield]

I usually partially attach the connecting rod/bolt to the ram that is extended and let the weight of the drive bring the 2 rams into equal extension. Then connect both rams, now that they are at about the same distance.

Once you have a load on both rams, see if the trim is working properly. they really don't work right with no load.

 

[kenny nunez]

It sounds like one of the relays may be the problem. Those small relays are not as good as the old style. Remove the plastic cover and with a remote starter button connected to the 2 large studs on each one and see the try running the pump from each relay. If you have a test light that will help to find the relay that needs changing by have someone use the trim switch.

 

[Bondo]

It sounds like one of the relays may be the problem.

Ayuh,.... On a 24 year ole boat,.... I'd pull all the wirin', 'n Clean it, before I ever considered buyin' any parts,.....
Includin' the Grounds,....

A clickin' solenoid, sounds like hidden corrosion is the likely culprit,... to Me anyways,....

 

[Chuck08]

I skipped the terminals on the top relay and the rams equaled out we pinned the outdrive. I tried the trip up button and nothing but a click. I don't have a trailer button, but I can lower the trim via the switch. I became more confident it was a bad relay. We pulled the top relay and tested it on the bench with a test light and a switch wired up. No light just clicked. I went ahead and ordered 2 relays and m going to replace both up and down while I have the seating apart.

We will see if this helps. I have found out that I should check the limit switch anyways and clean the contacts.

 

[Chuck08]

Bondo, I agree with cleaning the connections. we took wire brushes to the connections on the motor as we reassembled it.
Luckily unlike my truck, there are simple electronics on this boat.

 

[Chuck08]

I replaced both solenoids and it’s all working. Thank you all for your input. Next time I will consider removing the whole assembly because it was a tight fit and even tighter angles to get everything back together.