Boat › Outboard › Swivel bracket › Faulty power trim/tilt

There are many reasons why the power trim/ tilt on an outboard can stop working. These range from a flat battery or a broken switch through to a failed electric motor or hydraulic ram. This video talks a bit about these options.

Water in the trim/ tilt unit's hydraulic oil: cleaning out the old oil and resealing the unit so water can't get back in.

How trim/ tilt relays work. They switch the current to the electric motor and reverse it, so the motor can spin both ways to raise and lower the outboard. I also build a working trim/ tilt control from cheap parts from an auto store.

Replacing the trim/ tilt unit on an Evinrude 150HP, whose old unit and motor were badly corroded: taking the old one out, fitting the new one and priming it.

A bad electrical connection is causing high resistance

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Bad electrical connections can cause many different problems. A broken or disconnected wire will stop electricity flowing completely, but it is also possible to have a bad connection that causes high resistance.

There is a problem with the boat's battery

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The boat's electrical system starts and ends with the battery. It is important to check that the battery is fully charged and in good health before starting to diagnose any electrical problems.

Replacing the power trim/ tilt motor

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If the solenoid clicks but the trim and tilt won't move, the motor may be faulty. I swap a corroded motor for an aftermarket unit and use long 5mm allen keys on the back bolts.