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1986 Mercury 90HP - Which is the solenoid?
Gmondun	#1  Posted on 09/13/11 - 9:12 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 161 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/12/11	Hi, I just purchased an 1986 Montauk 17 with a 90HP Mercury. I was told the solenoid for the power trim needs to be replaced because the trim will go down, but not up. There are two parts (one on top of the other) of the engine that look like the solenoid. Which is the correct one to replace? I've posted photographs on my personal page for you to see what I'm refering to. One other thing. The previous owner mentioned he was able to short the solenoid with a screw driver to make it go back up. In case I'm in a pinch, how do I do that? Thanks for your help. Gordon EDIT: Had to correct the model of Montauk so everyone knows what model you are talking about. Edited by Joe Kriz on 09/13/11 - 10:05 AM
Gamalot	#2  Posted on 09/13/11 - 2:37 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	Both look like solenoids to me and one might go to the starter and the other to the pump. Follow the wires!
Vamanos	#3  Posted on 09/13/11 - 3:36 PM
Member Posts: 23 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/09/08	One of the solinoids is for up and one for down. I would guess that since the cover covering the top solinoid posts is missing that was the one he was shorting out. You can check which one is which by listening or feeling which one engages going up or down. FYI most of the time it is a bad connection rather than a bad soilinoid.
surfncnow	#4  Posted on 09/13/11 - 4:54 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 67 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/07/09	Yes, you should have 2 solenoids. One for up and one for down. At least that is how a 115hp is setup. I used to own a 1987 115hp and had the same issue. I replaced one and a few weeks later I was replacing the other one. So, I would suggest replacing both solenoids. BTW, after looking at your pics. Yes, you have 2 solenoids. Just replace both. Edited by surfncnow on 09/13/11 - 5:04 PM
Derwd24	#5  Posted on 09/13/11 - 5:45 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	To be sure it's a bad solenoid, swap them with eachother. If the motor goes the other way only, you've found the bad component. If it still goes only the same way, it's a wiring or switch issue. It looks like at least one of the ring connectors on the lower solenoid has been replaced, so it may be worth checking into. Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
Gmondun	#6  Posted on 09/20/11 - 6:56 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 161 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/12/11	Thank you for all your responses. Vamanos, you were right. After figuring out that the top solanoid was the issue, I went to replace it and discovered that the ground wire had snapped. Problem fixed! Thanks again. Gordon
Vamanos	#7  Posted on 09/20/11 - 9:09 PM
Member Posts: 23 Comments: 0 Joined: 06/09/08	Great! Sometimes you get lucky. Hopefully you found that before buying the part. Cheers, Vamanos