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Troubleshooting Tilt and Trim Common problems and fixes for tilt and trim systems. ike bear pepper spray, the time you most appreciate the importance of your boat’s tilt and trim feature is when you need it. An inoperative tilt and trim system degrades all phases of boat operation to some degree, from trimming your motor for better fuel economy to simply raising it to avoid damage while trailering. Here are some common sense troubleshooting tips to help out when your tilt and trim unit fails.
If you hear a clicking noise while pressing the tilt and trim switch, the next step would be verifying operation of the power tilt and trim motor itself.
Corrosion is a common cause of tilt and trim system failure.
CAPT. FRANK LANIER is an award-winning journalist, boat maintenance guru and owner of Capt F.K. Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants: CAPTFKLANIER.COM.
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The joys of tilt and trim Tilt and trim systems allow you to optimize performance of your boat by adjusting the angle of the engine, which in turn adjusts the running surface of the boat. The ability to trim your engine improves boat performance under a wide variety of conditions, from smoothing out a rough ride in heavy seas to reducing draft in shallow water. While this article focuses on the tilt and trim system for outboard engines, much of the information provided can also be used when troubleshooting sterndrives. There are two main types of tilt and trim systems found aboard recreational boats. Older systems often use an electric tilt motor coupled with a mechanical lifting device (a worm gear, for example). The most common system used today, however, is the electric/hydraulic power tilt and trim system. It consists of three primary components: A 12V electric motor, a small hydraulic pump and a reservoir/assembly unit. The electric motor operates the hydraulic pump, which in turn forces fluid to the cylinders or rams to move the motor up or down for trimming and trailering. Electrical or tilt and trim motor issues The first step is determining whether the problem lies with the electric tilt and trim motor or the hydraulic pump and assembly. Here are a few simple ways to isolate the problem. If you try to raise or lower the engine and nothing happens, first start by checking to make sure that your battery is charged and that the battery switch is in the “on” position. Next, listen for the solenoid/start relay while operating the control (tilt) switch up or down. If you hear nothing, the problem will typically be with the tilt switch, solenoid, or with the wires or connections between the two. If you hear a slight clicking noise while pressing the tilt switch, that means you have power from the control switch to the solenoid or relay. The next step then would be to check operation of the power tilt and trim motor itself. All tilt and trim systems use a 12V DC reversing type motor, each of which will have one green wire and one blue power wire. If you’re dealing with an older system, the motor
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The integral tilt and trim switch of your outboard can be used during troubleshooting to help isolate the problem
may also have a third, black wire, which is used to provide ground to motors that don’t receive it through the case. Applying power to the blue wire raises the engine, while energizing the green wire lowers it. An easy way to remember this is the phrase “blue sky, green grass;” the blue wire raises the engine towards the sky, while the green wire lowers it toward the ground. To test the motor, first remove power to it by disconnecting the blue and green wires. This can be done by unplugging the quick-disconnect plug between the motor and solenoid (if one is provided), or by disconnecting the two wires where they connect to the solenoid or relay. Once disconnected, use a jumper wire to apply 12V DC directly to the appropriate wire. If the engine is in the down position, energize the blue wire (which should raise it). If in the raised position, connect the jumper to the green wire to lower it. If the motor fails to operate with power applied directly to the blue or green wires, the issue lies with the motor. If the motor operates, then the problem is a lack of power to the motor (faulty solenoid or relay, bad connections, etc.). Failed solenoids, relays, and corrosion at connections, relay sockets or quick-disconnect plugs are some of the most common problems associated with tilt and trim system failure. Hydraulic pump assembly problems If the tilt and trim motor works fine but the engine won’t raise or lower, leaks down when in the raised position or won’t stay trimmed, chances are the problem is with the hydraulic pump or valve body assembly. Start by checking the hydraulic fluid reservoir level. If the level is good, the problem is most likely with the hydraulic pump. A low fluid level indicates a possible leak at the seals. At this point, repairs typically involve removal and replacement, or possibly rebuilding by a qualified repair facility. ★
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