Trim works intermittently on 1999 225 Yamaha...

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Author Topic:   Trim works intermittently on 1999 225 Yamaha...

blackandgold posted 08-12-2003 12:53 PM ET (US)
I would gladly search the archives for an answer, but I couldn't figure out how to do that either. Anyway, just recently noticed that the trim, esp. going down, doesn't work consistently. I have noticed a little hydraulic fluid leaking on the inside of the transom when the engine is stored at full tilt. Can I just top off the hydraulic fluid reservoir? If so, where is that located? Thanks in advance...
Bigshot posted 08-12-2003 01:54 PM ET (US)
There is a big screw or bolt on the trim resevoir which is next to the pump. Boat would have to be on trailer but remove screw,etc and fill with ATF. A squirter can is good being you can't just pour it in a hole.
lhg posted 08-12-2003 03:32 PM ET (US)
Most power trim systems can only be filled at full tilt.
You should determine whether your problem is hydraulic or electric. The intermitent operation you describe, on down only, sounds electric to me. In which case it's either a solenoid about to go, or a defective trim switch. Since your engine has two trim switches, one at control and one on engine, if one of the switches is defective it should be easy to determine.
blackandgold posted 08-12-2003 03:52 PM ET (US)
Thank you for your responses. The boat is kept on a trailer so I can easily check/top off the fluid reservoir with ATF, which I will do first. However, as LHG pointed out it might be an electrical problem which could very well be the case. The trim works fine when using the controls on the engine itself. It's the trim controls on the throttle handle that seem to be giving me a problem. The reason I say that is because I haven't tried adjusting the trim with the engine mounted controls while underway. I guess I can try that as well...thanks again.
Peter posted 08-12-2003 04:17 PM ET (US)
I doubt that hydraullic fluid on the inside of the transom is coming from your power trim and tilt. Could the hydraulic fluid on the inside of the transom be from your hydraulic steering?
I think your problem may be in the switch like it was in my case. Late last season and early this season the UP part of the trim button on my Yamaha binacle control would work only intermittantly. I thought it might be corroded inside so I bought a new switch and was going to replace it until I saw that it was a far more complicated task than I thought it would be once I started taking the control apart. So before getting deep into the task, I decided to take the switch apart to determine what was the problem and see if I couldn't clean the contacts. When I opened it up I found that it wasn't corrosion but that the actuator had become unseated somehow (probably from hitting a wave hard). In any case, I reseated the actuator and put the switch back together in the binacle control and it has worked fine ever since.
If your motor pan trim and tilt switch works ok but the binacle control doesn't, then its the switch.
jimh posted 08-12-2003 08:20 PM ET (US)
Are you operating the trim from the helm control remote or are you operating the trim from the cowling-mounted control?
Try both. This will help you isolate the problem. If one switch works and the other does not, you can infer an electrical problem.
A bad switch is common.
The electrical system also uses solenoids to operate the actual electrical motors that connect to the electrical pumps in the submerged trim unit. These can also be a source of problem.
Your owner's manual will also include a full wiring diagram that will help you trace the connections.
Many little in-line socket-plug connectors on individual wires are used by Yamaha in their electrical wiring. These can come loose, too.
I believe the owner's manual has a procedure for filling the trim system hydraulic fluid. Read through your owner's manual and you will learn a great deal about your engine from the people who designed and built it. The information content in most of them is quite high.
If you have a hydraulic problem, you may be low of fluid, have some stuck check valves, or have more serious problems.
With a decent understanding of electrical circuitry, some mechanical knowledge, and the owner's manual, you will be able to make a better diagnosis.
The reason I am familiar with this situation is I own two Yamaha motors and have experienced all these problems, including having to pay dearly for replacement parts via their dealers.
I recently spend several hours taking apart the cowling switch and repairing it--down to the internal contacts, etc. I probably saved myself $150 or more in part cost, just be cleaning out some corrosion caused by water leaking it.

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Author	Topic: Trim works intermittently on 1999 225 Yamaha...
blackandgold	posted 08-12-2003 12:53 PM ET (US) I would gladly search the archives for an answer, but I couldn't figure out how to do that either. Anyway, just recently noticed that the trim, esp. going down, doesn't work consistently. I have noticed a little hydraulic fluid leaking on the inside of the transom when the engine is stored at full tilt. Can I just top off the hydraulic fluid reservoir? If so, where is that located? Thanks in advance...
Bigshot	posted 08-12-2003 01:54 PM ET (US) There is a big screw or bolt on the trim resevoir which is next to the pump. Boat would have to be on trailer but remove screw,etc and fill with ATF. A squirter can is good being you can't just pour it in a hole.
lhg	posted 08-12-2003 03:32 PM ET (US) Most power trim systems can only be filled at full tilt. You should determine whether your problem is hydraulic or electric. The intermitent operation you describe, on down only, sounds electric to me. In which case it's either a solenoid about to go, or a defective trim switch. Since your engine has two trim switches, one at control and one on engine, if one of the switches is defective it should be easy to determine.
blackandgold	posted 08-12-2003 03:52 PM ET (US) Thank you for your responses. The boat is kept on a trailer so I can easily check/top off the fluid reservoir with ATF, which I will do first. However, as LHG pointed out it might be an electrical problem which could very well be the case. The trim works fine when using the controls on the engine itself. It's the trim controls on the throttle handle that seem to be giving me a problem. The reason I say that is because I haven't tried adjusting the trim with the engine mounted controls while underway. I guess I can try that as well...thanks again.
Peter	posted 08-12-2003 04:17 PM ET (US) I doubt that hydraullic fluid on the inside of the transom is coming from your power trim and tilt. Could the hydraulic fluid on the inside of the transom be from your hydraulic steering? I think your problem may be in the switch like it was in my case. Late last season and early this season the UP part of the trim button on my Yamaha binacle control would work only intermittantly. I thought it might be corroded inside so I bought a new switch and was going to replace it until I saw that it was a far more complicated task than I thought it would be once I started taking the control apart. So before getting deep into the task, I decided to take the switch apart to determine what was the problem and see if I couldn't clean the contacts. When I opened it up I found that it wasn't corrosion but that the actuator had become unseated somehow (probably from hitting a wave hard). In any case, I reseated the actuator and put the switch back together in the binacle control and it has worked fine ever since. If your motor pan trim and tilt switch works ok but the binacle control doesn't, then its the switch.
jimh	posted 08-12-2003 08:20 PM ET (US) Are you operating the trim from the helm control remote or are you operating the trim from the cowling-mounted control? Try both. This will help you isolate the problem. If one switch works and the other does not, you can infer an electrical problem. A bad switch is common. The electrical system also uses solenoids to operate the actual electrical motors that connect to the electrical pumps in the submerged trim unit. These can also be a source of problem. Your owner's manual will also include a full wiring diagram that will help you trace the connections. Many little in-line socket-plug connectors on individual wires are used by Yamaha in their electrical wiring. These can come loose, too. I believe the owner's manual has a procedure for filling the trim system hydraulic fluid. Read through your owner's manual and you will learn a great deal about your engine from the people who designed and built it. The information content in most of them is quite high. If you have a hydraulic problem, you may be low of fluid, have some stuck check valves, or have more serious problems. With a decent understanding of electrical circuitry, some mechanical knowledge, and the owner's manual, you will be able to make a better diagnosis. The reason I am familiar with this situation is I own two Yamaha motors and have experienced all these problems, including having to pay dearly for replacement parts via their dealers. I recently spend several hours taking apart the cowling switch and repairing it--down to the internal contacts, etc. I probably saved myself $150 or more in part cost, just be cleaning out some corrosion caused by water leaking it.