uh oh...this can't be good.

C

chazaroo

New Member
Dec 4, 2006
415
Florida
Boat Info
1996 Sundancer 250
Engines
single 5.7 w Bravo III
Went out in the boat this afternoon and when I hit the button to trim the drive, nothing. I could here an electric motor sound but the drive did not move. Tried the trailer button, same thing... sound but no movement. anybody got a clue what's happening here?
 
chazaroo said:
Went out in the boat this afternoon and when I hit the button to trim the drive, nothing. I could here an electric motor sound but the drive did not move. Tried the trailer button, same thing... sound but no movement. anybody got a clue what's happening here?
Click to expand...

I know this sounds silly, but did you check your drive oil reservoir? If you have and it's full, watch for the next post, someone I'm sure will help out here.
 
Wow, Fluid. I should have checked that first. I'll look in the morning and report back. I know in the forward section of the motor, there's oil, drive oil and coolant. If I remember right, there's another fluid reservoir on the starboard side rear. That might be the one for the trim fluid...by the way, what kind of fluid goes there?
 
What sfergson727 said on merc fluid +1.

Don't think regular old ps fluid or ATF is what you want in a trim pump circuit. The fluid needs to have an Emulsifier(sp) {ability to deal with water}. I never hear on CSR much about maintainance on these units. I believe a partial oil change (suck out reservoir and refill with new) is something to do routinely. For the ps pump too. ...Ron
 
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Also, if the boat is stored in-water there may be growth/corrosion on the trim rams stopping their movement- Up trim/trailer generates LOTS of pressure ~1500 psi or something down only about ~500 psi. Try to cycle the outdrives up/down to break a "set".
 
Fluid was down so I added a little over a tube of trim fluid (about 13 ounces). Then I started the boat and tried the trim and even hit the trailer button. No movement and the sound is very much like when you try to start a car when the battery is too low. Just a lot of clicking.
 
I'm guessing the solonoid..... search around.....some people on this forum have replaced just that part not the whole motor. Can you remove the whole unit making it easier to work on? I know the hydraulic hoses on mine are quick disconnect.... but I dont know about the wiring. Only held on be two bolts in the back if it's like Sferguons' pic.
 
So you do not hear the pump? Sounds like a bad solenoid then. They are cheap and easy to replace. Check the battery connections on both sides of the solenoids and make sure they are clean. After that, jump the solenoid and see if the pump works. If it works, then you have a bad solenoid.

Oh, and if your unsure how to jumper the solenoid, don't do it. You have straight battery current there and can really make a mess. (I used a screwdriver though with an insulated handle.)
 
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I'll check. If I can't get it out, I'll run it over to the marina have them take a look.
 
It seems the solenoid is about $30. I found the entire motor on ebay for $219.95. I'm thinking it makes more sense to replace the whole thing rather than just replacing the solenoid on a 14 year old motor.
 
You can find the solenoids for $12 on Ebay. As for replacing the entire thing, I would not. Those motors will last 20 years or more, easily. If your motor runs and you have solenoid issues, replace the solenoids. That would be like replacing the engine in your car because of a bad carb.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trim...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear?hash=item3355f8e918

I bought 5 of them for that price - $12.95 each (2 for each trim pump and one for the starter relay on top of the engine). Cheap backups and good spares. They are Quicksilver branded as well.

IF you did replace the entire assembly, you can get new-take off units for $100. Those are brand new or nearly new units taken off of damaged boats.
 
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Marina just called. One of the batteries was dead and they replaced it. I asked about the trim motor and they said it was fine. It was hooked up to the bad battery and that's why it wouldn't work. Go figure.
 
chazaroo said:
Marina just called. One of the batteries was dead and they replaced it. I asked about the trim motor and they said it was fine. It was hooked up to the bad battery and that's why it wouldn't work. Go figure.
Click to expand...

Good news, you needed to replace the battery anyways so no real cost. Good learning experience for you and one that you can pass on to the next guy to check if he has the same issue.
 
Who knew? I never imagined the drive trim would be connected to only one battery.
 
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