I'm hoping someone can help me out here. I'm in the process of rigging my old boat for a V6 after having an inline on it all of last season. I picked up a used square motor trim pump that was in decent shape. The pump internals cleaned up well and appear to be in satisfactory condition. The problem I have is with the motor itself. When I first installed the pump in the boat and started the filling and bleeding process, it would only run for short bursts. The more frequent you tried to run it (in either direction) the shorter the bursts. Let is sit for a bit and you could get it to run for 5-7 seconds. WOO HOO I suspected the thermal protection switch, but the outside of the can never felt hot. I pulled the motor apart and cleaned the commutator and checked the armature for damage. scuffed the faces on the brushes a bit and put it all back together. Same thing, only slightly better. In frustration I yanked the thermal protection swith out and ran the pump that way. I was at least able to fill and bleed my trim system then. Only problem is that after a full run in one direction, small tendrils of smoke can be seen coming out of the top of the can and the exterior of the can is hot. There's some serious issues with this motor right? Well a week goes by and I stumble across a killer deal on a brand new frame and armature for my square motor. Well I just replaced the frame and arm and I'll be damned and dipped in crap if it ain't doing the EXACT SAME razzle-frackin-clock-flockin-#%*&#^*# THING!! Short burst, nothing over 2 seconds. Hold the button and its like your bumping the trim in consecutive intervals. What's the deal with the thermals on these things?? Is there something I'm missing that's creating heat like that? I've got good grounds and nice heavy cable for hot and ground. The solenoids seem to work fine. Help guys, i'm pulling my hair out and if you've ever seen me without a hat, you'll know I ain't got much left as it is.

Me and trim pumps don't seem to get along. One of the biggest issues I had with the inline on this rig was the old Oildyne POS trim pump that was on it.