Help needed to test trim solenoid

[Capt Caper]

Guys, anyway of testing power trim solenoids to see if they're still good?

Our 87 150 V6 Merc just makes a clicking sound when trying to trim up or down.

Figured I'd start with the solenoids first.

Thanks.

[liquiddeath2.5]

do you have the single ram or three ram system. if you have the three ram system where is the clicking sound coming from? i have had problems with the pump motor getting water in it and locking up on the three ram system. give the pump motor a light tap and see if it will work.

[Capt Caper]

I'll check in the morning it's pouring out now here and get back to you .

thanks

[gaineso]

Not definitive, but it's kinda rare for both solenoids to take a crap at the same time. Have you checked the battery? Low battery power may be part of the problem. Could be the motor. Tap it and see.

[sho305]

Easy way if you can get to the motor wires, is to test them for power. Hit the switch each way and see if there is hot at the motor in any wire. Then you know the motor is the problem if there was, though I would check the grounding as well before ripping into the motor. Sometimes the polarity changes, so you will not know what wire is supposed to be hot or ground unless you figure it all out, have diagram, etc. If you know how it is wired, you could jump the motor too for a test. Of course, look for bad fuses/wires/connections first.

[Bill Rogers]

Good advice has been given already. I can add a few details that might help:

It's a 3-wire pump. Black is ground. Battery voltage on blue is up, green is down. Check it with a voltmeter (or test light) with the solenoids energized. I'm with Gainesco, it's rare to have both solenoids go out at the same time.

[sho305]

Up to you, but last summer I got my 'new' 1983 85hp Force going. It run good and after a couple tanks of fuel the trim stuck in the up position. It went down then did it again. On the trailer I wiggled the motor to check for binding and still no down, like it had air in it. Motor would run fast. Finally let out some fluid and it was a little brown but not white, so I put some new Merc recommended atf in there...then it worked, so I ran as much out as I could and put new in until it was good and red. Don't know when you should change that stuff, but I will on all of mine now. It was full to start with too as I had checked it before. This one is on the motor and was easy to do. I can only figure it was dirt:confused:

[Capt Caper]

Thanks, it is a 3 ram unit, clicking at the solenoids.

I suspect it's the motor and I'll try the different options recommened, and get back at a later time.

I heard you have to lift the moter away from the transom to get the power trim moter off is that true? Just though I'd ask before I go though the effort and discover later theres a simple trick to it.
Ha.

[Techno]

You can also jumper directly to those motor wires to see if the motor runs. This would bypass the relays. Only up or down not both at once of course. It's easy if done on the relay connections.