Conference vicki::boats

    I can't answer your question, but I have a suggestion. Buy a manual
    that covers Mercruiser outdrives and engines. I don't know where you
    live, but I bought one at Bliss Marine for $20. Clymer, I think, is the
    publisher. The manual has a very good section to help you diagnosis
    this problem properly. Mine's on my boat, I am not being stingy with
    the info. I remember the section it offered a symptom, gave you
    a couple tests to perform, and which lead to a diagnosis and repair.
    
    john

    Take a look at note 413. The problem I had was with the trin limit
    switch. Do get a Merc manual,it saves a lot of headaches.
    B.T.W. I just love my Searay.
    

    The MerCruiser shop manual is far superior to the Clymer
    book.  I have both, and not only does the Clymer book fail
    to include some things, I've found cases where it is
    simply wrong.  However, the Clymer book does have a color
    picture on the cover.

    With regard to the previous replies, the trim limit switch
    (on the outdrive hinge pin) stops the drive travel at the top
    of the trim range.  If the trim limit switch failed, the
    drive would either 1) not trim at all (without the trailer
    button being depressed) or 2) trim all the way up with the
    trim button.

    There is nothing which stops the hydraulic pump when the
    drive is trimmed fully up.  (If you continue to press the
    trailer button, the pump will continue to run even though
    the drive has reached the limit of its travel.)

    I would suspect you problem is one of the following -- bad
    trim/trailer switch (shorted with water?); shorted wires
    between the switch and the pump; internal short in the pump. 
    As you just replaced the pump, I'd check the first two.

    	- Lee

    Outdrive tilt is controlled by the swtiches on your shifter which
    activate relays that provide the current to the motor.  It sounds like
    you have either a bad component in the switchs or relays, or a
    intermittent short in the wiring that is activating the motor. Does your 
    'auto-tilt' feature occur when the weather is wet?  As everyone else
    stated, you need a manual including a circut diagram.  The owners
    manual that came with the boat should have a circut diagram in it.
    Then, like most intermittent electrical problems, you'll have to try
    to stimulate it to occur so you can start trying to isolate the faulty
    components.  <Try misting components and wiring with water, tapping the
    switches, relay cases..etc. Good luck, these kind of things can be a 
    real bear to find.
     
    As a sidebar, my '81 Mercrusier does not have a auto-shutoff at either
    end of the tilt cycle.  As the upper and lower limits are reached you
    need to listen for the drop in 'tone' or trust the indicator.  This is 
    not a big problem in the down direction as the hydraulics unload, but 
    in the up cycle it will just keep trying to pump until....
    
    Do later models have a shutoff switch at the top of the trailer cycle?
    
    
                                                 Tom Urban

    re. .3, My apologies for mentioning the Clymer book, I wasn't aware of
    a MerCruiser shop manual only because I hadn't seen one for sale. I
    should have known that Mercruiser would have them. I got the Clymer's
    because I wanted to tune up the book the next day and it was all I
    could find. The Clymer's is like a lot of non-factory car manuals, it
    covers some basic "how-to" info and several models and years of
    manufacture as fair for diagnosis and repair. Is the MerCruiser manual
    like that, or is there one for each model, and it assumes a certain
    level of knowledge (like factory [car] shop manuals)? How much does one
    cost, it looks like I should have one. Unfortunately it is too late
    to return the Clymer book. 
    
    Is my Clymer's wrong about a bi-metal switch in the outdrive pump? It
    mentions this switch which will heat up and break contact if the pump
    is run too long. I don't know if this applies to all models, but it was
    part of the description of the one I have.
    
    john 

    re: < Note 470.5 by SMVDV1::JGUNNERSON "JLG" >

    >    because I wanted to tune up the book the next day and it was all I
     
    
    	I just can't resist..... how the heck do you tune up a book??
    
    			:-)
    
    Rick

    Mind stall. I was thinking about the boat and the manual (book)
    at the same time. Unfortunately boat and book start out the same
    and I, well you know.... :-)
    
    john
    
    (yes, I know your reply was a joke. I am just clumsy and needed
     to say so. Ever go on a picnic and pick up a pretty rock while
     holding food in the other hand, then bite the rock? No, huh? 
     Well, I have, like I said, a maladroit.)

    PRETTY TOUGH TO SAY WHAT IT IS BUT BUT SOUNDS LIKE DEFINETLEY THE RELAY
    SWITCH WHEN YOU FIND THE PROBLEM I STRONGLY RECCOMEND A BATTERY SWITCH
    LEAVE THE BOAT FOR THE DAY, HIT THE SWITCH ALL POWER IS OFF, ONE
    LESS BURNED OUT TILT CONTROL.. DON"T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LEAVING
    ANYTHING ON AND I THINK WE ALL HAVE DONE THAT ONCE OR TWICE