Tilt/Trim Problem?

AmadorBasser · Post by **AmadorBasser** » Sun May 30, 2010 3:38 pm

Hey all -

Got back from Shasta Thursday night after fishing in the rain and cold Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning. I drove home in off and on rain as well, with a couple pretty solid downpours.

I went out Friday to Camanche, and found when my main power switch is on, my trim goes up. This can be negated by turning the main power switch off, and using the trim switch on the shift lever. The rear trim switch (for putting on the transom saver) is not responding, as it is hooked to the main power switch. Engine is a Merc 175 w/merc shifter.

Could this just be condensation on the wires/terminals/switches, or could the main power switch or remote trim switch in the rear be bad?

FYI, after 2 days I went out and tried turingin on the main again, and the trim went up like on Friday.

Any help/ideas would be appreciated before I break down and bring it in!

Thanks,

Chris Larson

michael · Post by **michael** » Sun May 30, 2010 3:52 pm

It could be a bad switch. Most likely it is a problem with the relay. I've had it happen twice to my boat. If they get wet it happens more often. I've had to replace the relay both times. In my case the only way I could keep it from trimming up was to DC the batteries. Pretty cheap and easy fix but a nuisance for sure. Good luck

AmadorBasser · Post by **AmadorBasser** » Sun May 30, 2010 3:59 pm

Got it, Mike. Thanks!

I am going to let it dry overnight again and look at it tomorrow.

If you happen to recall, was the relay something you were able to get at Kragen or Napa, or is it a specialty?

Happy Memorial Day,

Chris

michael · Post by **michael** » Sun May 30, 2010 6:52 pm

I'm not sure. Bob's Marine took care of mine both times. It's a pretty simple part though so it might be worth a couple of calls.......

bryanmc · Post by **bryanmc** » Mon May 31, 2010 3:53 am

Sounds more like water in one of the trim switches that gets powered by the main power switch. Try disconnecting them one by one (I'm going to guess it's the bow switch) until you can turn on your power switch without the trim running.

Delaney · Post by **Delaney** » Mon May 31, 2010 5:07 am

Had same exact problem couple months ago. Rear trim switch rubber cover was bad, and allowed moisture to get into switch. New switch cost 7 bucks, but the little rubber cover for the toggle cost 10 bucks at West Marine, but I guess it's worth it as it threads onto the switch, making it totally waterproof.

201Pro · Post by **201Pro** » Mon May 31, 2010 5:16 am

Something similar happened to me at Clearlake a couple of years ago. Waves were huge and as I was bouncing around the lake, the motor automatically trimmed itself out of the water and I could not get it to trim back down; which is a very bad thing for running around the lake. I got the boat out of water and took it to a local mechanic. He charged me $75 just to push the relay back into place!!

So ... pull each relay out, clean the contacts and reinstall and check again. Simple thing, but it cost me half a day of fishing!!

AmadorBasser · Post by **AmadorBasser** » Mon May 31, 2010 6:08 am

Good stuff, everyone.

I'm out to take apart/inspect the front switch, rear switch, main switch and fuse panel. Failing all that I am removing and cleaning the relay(s).

I'll post how it goes later today!

Chris

NorCalBasser88 · Post by **NorCalBasser88** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:59 pm

This is definately the relay i have had it happen before. Its definately an easy fix just a few screws and your good to go..

AmadorBasser · Post by **AmadorBasser** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:40 pm

Hey all -

It ended up being the front trim switch. It was obviously very wet and very burnt, and didnt rock back and forth to well...

Replaced with Napa p/n RS1077 Rocker Switch ($19.99) and it works like a champ! While I was at it, I replaced the rear one as well. It looks like it was OEM stuff, and didnt work so well either.

Life is good! Fished Camanche for a couple hours this evening just to test everything out, and all worked fine.

Thanks for all the help,

Chris