Raising stern drive when it doesn't work

[RILTD]

Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

I need to have my trim switch on my Mercruiser Stern drive looked at as it won't raise my motor, but it is in the down position. Anyone know how to get the drive up so I can take it in?

 

[syd]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

Try
www.boatered.com

I reckon They'll have the answers.

Good luck

Syd

 

[abraxus]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

Here's a link to the service manual for the Alpha 1:

Alpha 1

Look in the index for the troubleshooting section.

 

[David2452]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

Check that the limit switch wires are not broken, if they are then make a temporary splice to raise it and have the switch replaced, note that the limit switch & indicator switch must be replaced in pairs. A last resort is to remove the hydraulic hose from each ram and raise manualy then chock securely.

David

 

[duncan]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

limit switch shouldn't be a problem as the craft will have either a double pressure switch or seperate trailer switch that overrides it's restrictions for raising the leg (tilt) rather than within the preset trim range.

starting point is going to be an evaluation of the reasons the leg isn't lifting
power trim and tilt motor - electrics/hydraulics
switches - connections

with care most craft can be recovered on their trailers with the drive down. If it's a bedded trailer then adding a couple of large blocks to the front and rear of each bed between bed and hull should be fine temporarily but don't store the boat like that for any length of time.

 

[RILTD]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

It will go down with the trim switch but not up. Does that mean that it is most likely a switch rather than the hydraulics?

 

[David2452]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

If the trim switch works down but not up and the Trailer switch does work up then it does point strongly but not conclusivley to the trim limit switch being at fault usualy a broken wire. Unfortunately replacing the switches is far more involved than it at first appears. In the unlikely case that there is enough wire left poking out of the trim switch (they normally break at the exit from the switch) you could join it and cover with adhesive lined heat shrink as a temporary repair.

David

 

[Chris_B4]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

If the trim up and trailer up switches don't operate the drive motor it could be the respective solenoid has failed (happened on one of mine)

You can bypass the solenoid and, in effect, the limit switches by shorting the power straight to the motor with the end of a spanner. If there is power and the motor and hydraulics are all OK this will lift the drive

 

[bdsweeting]

Re: Raising stern drive when it doesn\'t work

There is often a pressure relief valve on the pump which can be released and the drive lifted by hand.

I say hand but... I dropped a loop of rope over the prop and heaved like hell but got it up in the end.