Trim Up works, Trim Down doesn't click or do anything - 1990 Mercury 175 XRi

[JonM]

Same symptom if I use the trim button on the motor, the button on the throttle at the console, or the trim button at the bow.

The trim up work fines, trim down button in all 3 locations doesn't click or do anything.

I see 3 wires coming from the switch at the motor trim button, 1 Light Blue, 1 Green, and 1 Red Wire.

I'm thinking it has to be a wiring connection issue, since all 3 buttons don't work, and the trim up works fine.

If you can confirm how to troubleshoot and fix this, that would be appreciated.


Thanks,
​​​​​​​Jon

[1978allison]

Swap trim solenoids and check your wiring where they plug into each other.

[Euroski]

easy check, get a test light and check voltages from trim switch at solenoids, if OK check in/out voltages at solenoids.

[XstreamVking]

Blue is up trim. Green is down trim. Red is power.

[Merc 2.5]

Solenoid ,green wire ,fuse , switch.
Not ness in this order

[Will hedrick]

It could be a bad relay

[JonM]

I was able to follow the Green wire to the back of the motor to the Solenoid, I traded positions of the two trim wires coming from the switch, and then the Trim Down button trims the motor up and the Trim Up button does nothing.

I removed the Solenoid that the Green wires connect to and the part number is 8996158.

My plan is to buy one of these at NAPA and hope that is the culprit of the Trim Down button not engaging the trim motor.


Thanks again,
Jon

[bill mason]

Relay

[JonM]

I was able to replace the Trim Down solenoid, part number 8996158 and now Trim Down is working fine. Thanks for the tips guys!

A few things to be aware of if you try this for the first time like I did.


When I took the solenoid bolts off, 2 of them, I was assuming they were threaded into the base plate they connect to. When I went to install the replacement, it became apparent these bolts had a nut on the backside of the plate. I lucked out and the 2 nuts were still sitting below the base plate from when I removed the old solenoid, so I was able to reuse those. I had to use a vice grip to hold these nuts in place below the plate since there isn't enough room to get your hand underneath that plate. I disconnected the base plate's 4 bolts, however the spark plug wires prevent you from getting much room behind the plate, so I used the vice grip to hold the nut in place to receive the bolts. Also, the 4 bolts for the base plate have spacers on the backside that you need to keep track of and re-align when you re-attach the base plate.