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08-18-2008, 03:11 PM | #1 |
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Can't Raise Lower Unit - '86 Mercruiser Alpha One
1986 Four Winns with 260hp Mercruiser AlphaOne
The lower unit will go down just fine, but raising it is a problem. ~ Doesn't move at all when using Trim switch ~ When using Trailer switch, it will eventually raise, but it takes lots of tries. ~ In both cases, I do here a switch noise coming from the engine compartment. ~ I checked the oil level in the pump, and it was low, but getting it back to the right level didn't fix the problem. Any thoughts? Thanks! |
08-18-2008, 03:32 PM | #2 |
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Solenoid Switches
On the pump itself there are a couple of small solenoid switches(one for up, one for down). I had one go bad years back. If I recall correctly, you can jump them to make the motor work in a pinch(also helps identify if this is the problem).
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08-18-2008, 06:29 PM | #3 |
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I have a similar problem on the boat I keep at the lake. When I mentioned it to the marina when I put the boat to bed last winter the owner told me that it could be a faulty gage.
I looked at him like he had two heads. If I recall what he told me in explaination I think there is some kind of sensor in the gague that tells you where the lower unit is in the up and down range. If the gage is stuck in one position then the switch to raise or lower the unit won't respond in that direction because the sensor is telling the switch the unit is already as far as it can go. In my case I can put the lower unit down but I have to use the trailer switch to raise the lower unit. As I said this was last fall and it was the first I heard of anything like this, but if I recall he seemed to be saying the correction involved rewiring a new gage...or just bypassing the gage entirely. I haven't addressed the issue yet since I didn't put the boat in Winnipesaukee this year. |
08-19-2008, 07:12 AM | #4 |
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check your fluid as well. The drive wants to go down via gravity so a fluid issue usually shows up first when raising, not lowering, the drive.
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08-19-2008, 07:47 AM | #5 | |
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Here is everything you need to know to troubleshoot Mercruiser trim systems: http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6C1R3.PDF And here is everything you need to know to fix them: http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs6.pdf |
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08-19-2008, 07:55 AM | #6 | |
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08-19-2008, 08:11 AM | #7 |
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Thanks everyone! Much appreciated.
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08-19-2008, 11:03 AM | #8 |
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08-19-2008, 12:30 PM | #9 | |
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08-19-2008, 01:21 PM | #10 |
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08-19-2008, 03:00 PM | #11 | |
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Airwaves, like Dave, I thought this thread was about a Mercruiser trim. Pretty sure the hockey puck like things(I think they are senders) on each side of the unit attached to the transom control the guage on a Mercruiser. I'd bet five bucks, if the drive doesn't attempt to move on one direction, it's one of the solenoids I mention above. Pretty easy and not too costly fix. I suppose if one of those hockey puck senders came out of adjustment it may cause the problem too, but I'd take my chances on the solenoid first(jumping each one with a screwdriver). |
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08-19-2008, 05:51 PM | #12 |
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I didn't think a trim was all that different between a Mercruiser and VP but I am pretty sure reading Mercruiser specs wouldn't help me with my VP.
The only reason I am even considering the marina owner MIGHT be right is that the gauge reads that the lower unit is in the trailer position no matter where it really is located in the up/down arch. Last edited by Airwaves; 08-19-2008 at 06:13 PM. Reason: reason marina owner MIGHT be on to something |
08-19-2008, 08:11 PM | #13 |
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Similar problem
I had a similar problem earlier this summer on my '98 Cobalt with VP drive, though in my case I couldn't lower the drive. When I had it looked at by one of the mechanics at Thurston's he said it's frequently caused by corrosion building up on the solenoid contacts. He disconnected, then reconnected them a couple times to get back to a good metal-to-metal connection.
That was early July - haven't had a problem since. I'd recommend that as your first thing to try, and it's the right price. As mentioned earlier you can swap the connections from one solenoid to the other if you get stuck and need to raise the drive.
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09-02-2008, 10:49 AM | #14 |
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Not the Solenoid
Hi again....I removed and cleaned all the connections to make sure that wasn't the issue.....no change.
I switched the solenoid connections, to see if the Up Solenoid is the issue. Since the problem was the same (could lower, but not raise) with the solenoids switched, that means it's not the solenoid, right? Jumping the terminals DOES work - but I'm not sure what that tells me... Could it be air in the system? I don't know how to bleed it. Thanks all! |
09-02-2008, 11:13 AM | #15 | |
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same type of thing
Quote:
try taking out the switch itself and wiring it to a open switch on the panel if you have one. Let me know if it works? Mayeb I was just lucky
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09-02-2008, 12:53 PM | #16 | |
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To make the trim go up, you need to apply 12v to the blue and white wire that goes from the throttle to the up solenoid. There are two ways to do this. 1. The trailer switch does it directly. 2. The up trim switch does it indirectly by first applying 12v to the purple/white wire which then applies 12v to the trim limit switch. If the switch is closed, it will apply 12v to the blue/white wire. Since the problem is occuring some of the time with the trailer button and all of the time with the trim button, you very likely need a new trim limit switch and you need to clean the contacts on the trailer button. Last edited by Dave R; 09-02-2008 at 01:37 PM. |
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09-02-2008, 04:13 PM | #17 |
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switch at throttle
Definitely narrowing it down. It could be the switch at the throttle or as Dave suggests the limit switch on the transom. Sometimes the contacts can be cleaned.
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09-02-2008, 05:21 PM | #18 |
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http://marinepartsplus.com/
See if you can find your motor here. Lots of "exploded" diagrams to find the parts which can be useful by themselves. Good luck! |
09-02-2008, 05:45 PM | #19 |
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09-02-2008, 07:35 PM | #20 |
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09-03-2008, 06:15 AM | #21 |
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09-03-2008, 11:51 AM | #22 |
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09-10-2008, 01:43 PM | #23 |
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End Result
So what was the final result?
what happened?
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09-11-2008, 01:26 PM | #24 |
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No Solution yet
Hello all,
I haven't been able to work any more to try to resolve the issue. In fact, I'll probably have to winterize it and wait until Spring to dig in again. Thanks VERY much for all the help! |
09-13-2008, 04:22 PM | #25 |
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Can't Raise Lower Unit - '86 Mercruiser Alpha One
FYI.... I had a problem with my trailer-tilt button not operating the outdrive.
Pulled trailer switch button off throttle handle and found it all corroded. After I cleaned, with some emory cloth and re-installed, it worked like a charm ! Probably would have been a $100 bill at the dealer ! Bigdog |
09-19-2008, 12:18 PM | #26 |
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boat
Take your boat to the guy o 106. He will look at it when you drop it off and tell you what is wrong. Then will tell you what it cost to fix.
I have had very good luck with him. He also does shrink wrapping and winterization at great prices. His phone number is 267-7223 Good luck |
04-22-2016, 07:32 AM | #27 | |
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Thanks Dave R!
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04-27-2016, 05:28 AM | #28 |
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I have acquired the Volvo Penta trim/tilt troubleshooting guide since this thread was started. PM me if you need it.
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