trim problem

[Lewy]

yesterday decided to go out in the cold weather and when boarding the boat i tried to trim the outboard in fully before starting the engine, but the engine wouldnt move. i thought initially it might be a low battery but because enough of the leg was in the water i decided to see if the engine would turn over. Well it started first turn, and when i tried the trim again and it was fine. i thought because of the freezing weather we've been having this might have caused the initial problem.

anyway drove the boat around for an hour then went and had lunch in Cowes. went back out again, going along nicely, had her trimmed right out in the near flat water and then it got stuck again. played around with switching the engine on and off, and then the battery but still nothing. so set off again fully trimmed out and eventually started working again. Played around for another 30 minutes or so making lots and lots of trim adjustment and then it stopped functioning again, and this time wouldnt work again.
Any suggestions? the engine is an opti 225hp and neither the helm trim or the switch on the engine would work, and i couldn't hear any motors or noise from the engine either.

anyone here had similar problems. could it be connections, relays etc?

[Chris]

When it sticks can you still trim it using the controls on the engine cowl?

If YES then I would start at the trim tilt button on the remotes first.

[PeterM]

Hi - when my opti stopped starting in the summer the most suggested was a relay on the std side of the engine . By all accounts there are 3 - one does the ECU , one the trim & one something else !

You can swap them round to test them as I'm sure they are all the same - sounds like it was sticking then packed up . New one was £20 ish & done in 2 mins . I'd try that first before taking things apart in a full on way. I even have a spare one now - turns out it wasnt the starting relay in my case though !

I remember the guy saying green wire is trim down & blue trim up .

If you have a search on here for 'optimax starting problems' youll find the various posts

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Chris

When it sticks can you still trim it using the controls on the engine cowl?

If YES then I would start at the trim tilt button on the remotes first.

Originally Posted by Lewy

neither the helm trim or the switch on the engine would work, and i couldn't hear any motors or noise from the engine either.

I think that maybe a NO

[Turbodiesel]

Your engine has two trim relays, one up and one for down. The third relay is the main power relay. If its not going up or down, i would not think its both relays playing up. It could be the trim harness or even the motor itself.

[Lewy]

thanks guys for the advice, much appreciated

[Lewy]

actually just found this link from another site http://www.boatbanter.com/showthread.php?t=99511
seems to be good advice, whatya think?

[PeterM]

Seems pretty sensible to me. I 'd definately try swapping them ( relays) to see if the problems comes back/ goes away - a 2 min exercise & rules out the relays once & for all . If it starts on the trim relays they should be fine. The article seems to suggest they are dependant so if one goes do you loose all trim ?

I'll let the more qualified pick up on that - I'm no merc engineer .............

If it still doesn't work I'd start checking wiring - as both switches are out I'd start at the trim motor & work back - does sound like it could be a loose wire that is/isn't then is then finally isn't making contact somewhere.

[Lewy]

just relays in the end thank god, and not the motor. had to change both up & down relays and now all works fine.

going out tomorrow for full test