Thread: trim device

I'm not familiar with that setup, but I'd check the relays first if you can get to them. Difficulty level can range from 1 all the way through 10. The boat I just bought, was a 10 on getting the trim working again.

Do you have a volt meter or test light?

If you are talking about your trim/tilt on the motor &/or on the throttle handle ... chances are it's one of the relays. You can do what I did and remove both and switch them to see which one is bad ... but, you're gonna be better off just replacing both with new ones.

My motor would go up, but wouldn't go back down ... using either the button on the side of the motor or the trim button on the throttle. Removing mine was fairly simple, and my local boat dealer had the replacement relays for less than $20 each. My motor is a 1999 90HP Merc. You can read about my problem and eventual fix here : http://www.crappie.com/crappie/mecha...problem-4.html

Follow wiring to inside of boat. Relays should be in a box mounted inside. Do like Pappy said and swap the relays and see what happens. Usually not to much wrong when they quit working.

I dunno what pappy's speedo fix link has to do with the trim, but swap those relays. If this doesn't do it, check switch. I have a similar rig, CMC pt35. I wired their switch aft and also wired in my trim switch in the throttle arm.

Also check for corrosion around the relay socket pins.

If you have a bad relay, you can get replacement at NAPA for about 6 dollars. It is called a horn relay by the red collar southerners. Just check the relay pin configuration which is drawn on the relay cover. Match this with the one you are buying. The configuration is called a 1 form C. The common contact from the relay breaks from the NC contact and Makes to the NO contact when the relay coil energizes.

Also, my wiring harness and relays had no box. Your relays may be just screwed to the boat somewhere. I put mine in a box which I installed myself. Tug a wire gently. May have to loosen clamps and/or cut cable ties. You can find the relays if you wanna.

Any concerns with checking by wiring straight to 12v battery?


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yep I found the relays and bought new ones and a volt meter to confirm the output. At first only voltage on the down button and then after swapping around some it did work both ways. But it seems like the motor is struggling to raise, as well the wires and the relays got extremely hot and the insulation on the relay holder block wire was starting to become soft from the heat. Not sure if this is something to do with the internals of the tilt motor or in the harness for the relays. Further looking at how the outboard and the tilt motor function, I'm going to say this is a tough replacement, not sure but looks like it all has to come off.

Can you release the pressure on tilt cylinder by cracking a plug or screw so that you can lift it by hand? If so, do that and see if maybe the whole unit is binding up. If it is might try loosening the bolt or bolts it swivels on to see if that releases pressure. Something could be in a bind causing that motor to work that hard.