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Hi, am new to boating, went to use my 1992 Montauk 17 today with original Evinrude 90 , stopped as usual in the parking at the ramp, used the trim button on motor, worked fine, raised motor to lower motor support, backed down the ramp into the water, went to lower motor with trim button on main lever, and nothing. Tried at motor, still nothing. So in a span of about 50ft, I went from having a functioning trim motor to nothing. Thought maybe a fender hit the relay button on the way down, pressed it, lights still work, motor will turn over, but still nothing on trim buttons on either end. Trim is maximum up right now, when I press down button, I can hear a clicking but that is it. What could cause a trim motor to die like that? Can water from backing in a bit deeper kill it? Where would be the best place to start to troubleshoot, say with a voltmeter?
So, this morning I tested battery, it was at 70%. Put it on the charger and trim motor now works. Boat was not used for only one week, I guess it means new battery required...well, easier solution than troubleshooting the trim motor. Surprised though that at that level of charge it could have that effect.
The symptoms you describe actually suggest a poor battery connection. Do you have wing nuts installed on the battery terminals? If so, replace them with regular nuts. Tighten with a wrench.
Also test your trim/tilt at both switches multiple times before you go to the launch ramp again. You may have failing relay switches.
Check your trim/tilt wiring, especially where the wire runs under the powerhead on the left side of motor. Many times the wiring will chafe and begin to short intermittently.
Familiarize yourself with the manual release screw on the trim/tilt assembly and how to raise the outboard or lower it manually.
Recently had the exact issue with my 1984 Evinrude 90. In addition to the battery connections, check the electrical connections under the engine cover, too. All I did to fix mine was go around the engine and disconnect/reconnect every connection I could get to. And that was enough to clean up connections enough to get everything working. I'm sure a more thorough clean up is in order, though. This winter ...
(please follow guideline #1 at the top of this page and use the FULL 4 digit year)
Edited by Joe Kriz on 07/13/18 - 11:28 AM
1970 Sakonnet w/ 2019 Evinrude E-TEC 90 HP -- "Makai"
Tow Vehicle: 2014 Ford E-350 Quigley 4x4
