Problem with Tilt/Trim

[TurboTim]

I have a 78 260 weekender and I have been having a problem where the tilt goes down half way and stops. It will go up and down but it just wont go down far enough for the prop to be parrellel to the boat..

 

[Quint4]

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Lazy Daze]

Limit switch is a good call and the easiest thing to check. Another possibility would be that your trim cylinders need to be rebuilt.

 

[TurboTim]

I think I would suspect the limit switches more cause the motor stops working when it goes that far down. Also I have 3 switches is there a reason for this or is it just for other models?

 

[Matt89GT]

On mine I have a trailoring switch where as my switch for trimming up switch isn't functioning and I haven't worried with it, I trim up using the trailoring switch, maybe I will fix it in the spring when I get the boat from storage.

 

[Westie]

I'm going to have to disagree with the advice on the trim limit switches. One of the "switches" is an analog pot that only connects to the gauge on the dash to show trim level. The other switch only limits the up motion of the drive when using the trim switch; this is bypassed when using the trailer button.

Question for the OP. Does the trim motor continue to run when your reach the lower limit of drive operation?

 

[Quint4]

Good catch Westie! I just looked up the part I was referencing in my merc manual and they are officially called "trim limit switch". After re-reading the posters question I think you are right,the trim limit switches would not affect downward travel.
Thanks Quint4.

 

[TurboTim]

The motor stops when it goes about half way down. I can raise the motor again and try to go back down but again it will stop at the same place. I would assume there would be a limit switch for down because otherwise people would over trim the boat down but I dont know.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Good catch Westie! I just looked up the part I was referencing in my merc manual and they are officially called "trim limit switch". After re-reading the posters question I think you are right,the trim limit switches would not affect downward travel.
Thanks Quint4.

Yup - I missed that, too - for no other reason than I didn't read closely enough.

There is nothing to stop it on the way down, other than when it just can't physically go any further. If the motor stops turning (like someone flipping a switch), then your line of thinking that it's not the trim cylinders is correct.

What happens if you jump 12v right to the pump? Does it then go all the way down?

 

[KRB64]

You've already checked for a physical obstruction right?

 

[TurboTim]

Well the outdrive will go all the way down when I had the cylinders unhooked from the drive. Its just so puzzling that the motor stops working at that point.

 

[KRB64]

Is it overheating and shutting off?

There's also wires going to sensors on either side of the gimbal area plus another one somewhere else (I can't remember with out looking it up). These little wires can deteriorate and become brittle over time. Could they be shorting out with movement of the LU maybe? Just a wild shot in the dark.