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Author Topic:   Johnson Trim-Tilt Nightmare

cleaver97 posted 06-04-2011 08:37 PM ET (US)
Hello all, maybe I'm missing something and someone can provide some insight into my latest headache. On my DAUNTLESS 15 I have a Johnson 50-HP outboard which forced me to miss my boating season last year due to a worn out Tilt-Trim motor. Finally saved enough and found a unused, new-in-the-box Tilt-Trim unit on [an auction website] at a reasonable price. I spent two days last fall removing the old unit and installing the new, and [the power Trim-Tilt] worked fantastic. I marveled at the ability to sit in her with a beer after dinner and watch her motor go up and down in the driveway by use of a simple push of a switch. Satisfied I was ready for the next season I waxed and washed the boat, covered her and waited patiently for the warm weather.
Well, I finally uncovered her, cleaned her out and the unit worked fine until this afternoon when I was getting her ready for her first voyage of the season the unit started working slowly and finally quit while flushing the engine. Assuming it was something simple:
--charged the battery for a few hours thinking perhaps it was low from sitting during the season even though she turned over fine and nothing;
--checked the relays, even though they were clicking fine, cleaned their contacts and even tried "hot wiring" the relays as I read in another article and nothing;
--followed the Trim-Tilt wiring back to a terminal connection and wired the motor directly to the battery and ground to bypass relays and switch--and nothing;
--tapped on the motor unit with a screwdriver handle more times than I care to remember hoping I would bring it to life and nothing;
Am I missing something simple? I find it hard to believe a brand new Trim-Tilt unit which was working perfectly last week just decides to die the afternoon before hitting the water for the first time, and I dread the thought of trying to pry the unit out again and having to replace the motor.
Sorry for the long winded explanation but I am completely at a loss. Any input and word of advice would be greatly appreciated.
contender posted 06-04-2011 09:04 PM ET (US)
Even though you have charged the battery is it good? How old is the battery? Could have a bad cell. If everything is correct as you say, and it is a new unit, it sounds like either a connection is bad or your battery is bad. Try another battery. Good luck
Slick 50 posted 06-05-2011 08:39 AM ET (US)
Have you greased the pivot points for the engine? Have you tried to help by lifting on the engine while pushing the up button. The tilt tube could be too stiff for the Trim-Tilt system.
As far as battery voltage, what does the voltage do at the relays when the up or down button is pushed?
Good luck,
Rick
jimh posted 06-05-2011 08:50 AM ET (US)
Disconnect the power leads to the motor from the relays. Measure the resistance of the motor. The resistance should be rather low. Perhaps there is an intermittent connection in the motor due to a problem with the brushes.
cleaver97 posted 06-05-2011 04:24 PM ET (US)
Thanks for reply. Battery is reading 12.7v during idle (12.5 when off) and I am getting 12.5 volts at relay when I activate toggle switch which I assume should be plenty of voltage for the unit. I understand the battery is running on low power but could this affect the unit. When I press a screwdriver to the motor and the other end to my ear I can hear a slight crackle noise as if motor wants to come to life.

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Author	Topic: Johnson Trim-Tilt Nightmare
cleaver97	posted 06-04-2011 08:37 PM ET (US) Hello all, maybe I'm missing something and someone can provide some insight into my latest headache. On my DAUNTLESS 15 I have a Johnson 50-HP outboard which forced me to miss my boating season last year due to a worn out Tilt-Trim motor. Finally saved enough and found a unused, new-in-the-box Tilt-Trim unit on [an auction website] at a reasonable price. I spent two days last fall removing the old unit and installing the new, and [the power Trim-Tilt] worked fantastic. I marveled at the ability to sit in her with a beer after dinner and watch her motor go up and down in the driveway by use of a simple push of a switch. Satisfied I was ready for the next season I waxed and washed the boat, covered her and waited patiently for the warm weather. Well, I finally uncovered her, cleaned her out and the unit worked fine until this afternoon when I was getting her ready for her first voyage of the season the unit started working slowly and finally quit while flushing the engine. Assuming it was something simple: --charged the battery for a few hours thinking perhaps it was low from sitting during the season even though she turned over fine and nothing; --checked the relays, even though they were clicking fine, cleaned their contacts and even tried "hot wiring" the relays as I read in another article and nothing; --followed the Trim-Tilt wiring back to a terminal connection and wired the motor directly to the battery and ground to bypass relays and switch--and nothing; --tapped on the motor unit with a screwdriver handle more times than I care to remember hoping I would bring it to life and nothing; Am I missing something simple? I find it hard to believe a brand new Trim-Tilt unit which was working perfectly last week just decides to die the afternoon before hitting the water for the first time, and I dread the thought of trying to pry the unit out again and having to replace the motor. Sorry for the long winded explanation but I am completely at a loss. Any input and word of advice would be greatly appreciated.
contender	posted 06-04-2011 09:04 PM ET (US) Even though you have charged the battery is it good? How old is the battery? Could have a bad cell. If everything is correct as you say, and it is a new unit, it sounds like either a connection is bad or your battery is bad. Try another battery. Good luck
Slick 50	posted 06-05-2011 08:39 AM ET (US) Have you greased the pivot points for the engine? Have you tried to help by lifting on the engine while pushing the up button. The tilt tube could be too stiff for the Trim-Tilt system. As far as battery voltage, what does the voltage do at the relays when the up or down button is pushed? Good luck, Rick
jimh	posted 06-05-2011 08:50 AM ET (US) Disconnect the power leads to the motor from the relays. Measure the resistance of the motor. The resistance should be rather low. Perhaps there is an intermittent connection in the motor due to a problem with the brushes.
cleaver97	posted 06-05-2011 04:24 PM ET (US) Thanks for reply. Battery is reading 12.7v during idle (12.5 when off) and I am getting 12.5 volts at relay when I activate toggle switch which I assume should be plenty of voltage for the unit. I understand the battery is running on low power but could this affect the unit. When I press a screwdriver to the motor and the other end to my ear I can hear a slight crackle noise as if motor wants to come to life.