Starting Stalled Electric Motors in Trim and Tilt Systems By Tapping On Them

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Starting Stalled Electric Motors in Trim and Tilt Systems By Tapping On Them

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Starting Stalled Electric Motors in Trim and Tilt Systems By Tapping On Them

cinegamma posted 09-14-2009 09:49 AM ET (US)
Several times before, I've used the trick of tapping the tilt and trim [electric] motor to get the tilt and trim to work on my 1996 Johnson 90. Previously when I tapped the motor everything went back to proper operation. Now I have to tap the motor each time I want it to go up or down. A previous post mentioned this might be the brushes or wiring leads. Is this something I can fix myself?
Jon

pglein posted 09-14-2009 12:20 PM ET (US)
Sounds like a bad solenoid, however, I think the tilt and trim solenoids for that engine are not located inside the trim motor. My recommendation would simply be to replace the trim motor.
number9 posted 09-14-2009 11:08 PM ET (US)
Could also be the trim motor brushes or brush springs that are replaceable on most trim motors that can be disassembled. Some manufacturers don't even have a parts listing for them since the cost of parts and labor to replace them would often be close to price of replacement motor. If capable of doing yourself it's possible to save $100 or more. If not available through a dealer you can probably find them elsewhere.
jimh posted 09-15-2009 08:51 AM ET (US)
Use the resources of the great Evinrude part website
http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index. aspx?s1=5a7bcbfc3b8d008c1875742fe1e97ec7
to find a parts breakdown drawing of the trim and tilt system on your specific Evinrude or Johnson motor. See if there are any repair parts listed for the electric motor component of the tilt and trim system. These generally will be listed under the subcategory POWER TRIM/TILT HYDRAULIC. You may find that there is a motor seal and brush kit. For example,
P N 0585229 MOTOR BRUSH AND SEAL KIT $128
Note that the cost of a complete new motor assembly is not much more
P N 0434496 MOTOR & O-RING ASSY $194
Or, disassemble the motor and clean the brushes and commutator.
cinegamma posted 09-15-2009 09:11 AM ET (US)
Thanks to all. This is looking like a weekend project instead of an afternoon project. I think I'll start with a cleaning of the brushes, and if no luck, replacing the motor.
And Jim, thanks for making my subject line more specific.
Jon
conch posted 09-15-2009 09:41 AM ET (US)
Jon I think the first goal will be the successful removal of the trim and tilt motor from a thirteen year old engine if it has never been taken off before. I do not recall if 1996 90hp is a three bolt or four bolt motor. You may find the lower mount rod or the tilt cylinder pin quite difficult to remove without a torch. If you have significant rust on the trim motor you will probably just want to replace it at that time. The motors are on E-bay and other online sites every day. Good Luck and get the service manual plus the parts catalog at the same time.
Chuck
pglein posted 09-16-2009 05:50 PM ET (US)
I have to agree with conch. Even on my motor, which has zero corrosion, even removing the tilt-gauge sender unit proved to be impossible. The screw holding it in place was so securely seized in place that I could not move it, even with the largest screwdriver I could find. Thus, my tilt gauge still does not work, and the replacement unit, which I paid a good amount of money for, is still sitting in the box a year later.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Starting Stalled Electric Motors in Trim and Tilt Systems By Tapping On Them
cinegamma	posted 09-14-2009 09:49 AM ET (US) Several times before, I've used the trick of tapping the tilt and trim [electric] motor to get the tilt and trim to work on my 1996 Johnson 90. Previously when I tapped the motor everything went back to proper operation. Now I have to tap the motor each time I want it to go up or down. A previous post mentioned this might be the brushes or wiring leads. Is this something I can fix myself? Jon
pglein	posted 09-14-2009 12:20 PM ET (US) Sounds like a bad solenoid, however, I think the tilt and trim solenoids for that engine are not located inside the trim motor. My recommendation would simply be to replace the trim motor.
number9	posted 09-14-2009 11:08 PM ET (US) Could also be the trim motor brushes or brush springs that are replaceable on most trim motors that can be disassembled. Some manufacturers don't even have a parts listing for them since the cost of parts and labor to replace them would often be close to price of replacement motor. If capable of doing yourself it's possible to save $100 or more. If not available through a dealer you can probably find them elsewhere.
jimh	posted 09-15-2009 08:51 AM ET (US) Use the resources of the great Evinrude part website http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index. aspx?s1=5a7bcbfc3b8d008c1875742fe1e97ec7 to find a parts breakdown drawing of the trim and tilt system on your specific Evinrude or Johnson motor. See if there are any repair parts listed for the electric motor component of the tilt and trim system. These generally will be listed under the subcategory POWER TRIM/TILT HYDRAULIC. You may find that there is a motor seal and brush kit. For example, P N 0585229 MOTOR BRUSH AND SEAL KIT $128 Note that the cost of a complete new motor assembly is not much more P N 0434496 MOTOR & O-RING ASSY $194 Or, disassemble the motor and clean the brushes and commutator.
cinegamma	posted 09-15-2009 09:11 AM ET (US) Thanks to all. This is looking like a weekend project instead of an afternoon project. I think I'll start with a cleaning of the brushes, and if no luck, replacing the motor. And Jim, thanks for making my subject line more specific. Jon
conch	posted 09-15-2009 09:41 AM ET (US) Jon I think the first goal will be the successful removal of the trim and tilt motor from a thirteen year old engine if it has never been taken off before. I do not recall if 1996 90hp is a three bolt or four bolt motor. You may find the lower mount rod or the tilt cylinder pin quite difficult to remove without a torch. If you have significant rust on the trim motor you will probably just want to replace it at that time. The motors are on E-bay and other online sites every day. Good Luck and get the service manual plus the parts catalog at the same time. Chuck
pglein	posted 09-16-2009 05:50 PM ET (US) I have to agree with conch. Even on my motor, which has zero corrosion, even removing the tilt-gauge sender unit proved to be impossible. The screw holding it in place was so securely seized in place that I could not move it, even with the largest screwdriver I could find. Thus, my tilt gauge still does not work, and the replacement unit, which I paid a good amount of money for, is still sitting in the box a year later.