power tilt problem

[dhanson48]

I have a 2006 F40 tiller motor with power tilt. It has developed a problem with the power tilt/trim only while on the water underway. If while underway I try to tilt the motor up, it will come up using the rocker switch on the tiller but then immediately comes back down to it's lowest point. If I tilt it up at rest it comes up and stays up. I can tilt it up in the garage and apply all my weight on the motor and it still stays up. If I tilt it up before getting underway it stays up while moving. The tilt motor seems to work fine both up and down. It just will not stay up while I try and trim the boat while underway. I'm baffled. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. It's a pain not being able to trim the boat while underway.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Just to clarify, when the motor/tilt comes back down, is the electric trim motor running or is it more likely leaking hydralic fluid out internally?

[dhanson48]

The power trim motor is definitely running up and down. The motor will not leak down. I have it up for days at a time in the garage and again I can put my 200 lbs on it and it will not come down.

[99yam40]

Have you identified that the T&T motor is running when it is lowering the motor all by itself?
If so how have you done this?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

The power trim motor is definitely running up and down. The motor will not leak down.

If the trim motor is running up and down on its own, its likely the up/down button switch.

You can (for testing purposes), trim the motor and un-plug the electric motor. Go for a ride, the motor staying in place will confirm the hydralics aren't failing.

Sometimes squirting a cleaner into the switch itself will help(WD40, electrical switch contact cleaner). Sounds like the switch itself is sending mixed signals to the trim motor..

[99yam40]

trim the motor and Go for a ride, the motor staying in place will confirm the hydralics aren't failing.

He has already said if trimmed up while not under way it does not drop back down while under way.
"If I tilt it up before getting underway it stays up while moving. "

Just wondering how he knows the trim motor is what drops it.
Wiring or one of the switches would be suspect if the T&T motor is truly running when it drops under way

[TownsendsFJR1300]

He has already said if trimmed up while not under way it does not drop back down while under way.
"If I tilt it up before getting underway it stays up while moving. "

Just wondering how he knows the trim motor is what drops it.
Wiring or one of the switches would be suspect if the T&T motor is truly running when it drops under way

Thats why I mentioned disconnecting it altogther(electrically).

The Op sounds like he's familiar with the system, just not quite clear enough on the specific issue.

[99yam40]

So how is he suppose to trim it under load if he disconnects the T&T motor electrically? As that is the only time he says it runs back down.

[dhanson48]

I have disconnected the switches at the relays over night and the motor does not go down. I'm pretty sure that eliminates hydraulic leaks. I can both hear and feel the motor go up and down. I found a broken stop on what I believe is a tilt limit switch located just above the tilt mechanism. I have no info on this switch. I could have broken the stop (fell off in my hand) while perusing this switch so it's possible this switch could be bad.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have disconnected the switches at the relays over night and the motor does not go down. I'm pretty sure that eliminates hydraulic leaks. I can both hear and feel the motor go up and down. I found a broken stop on what I believe is a tilt limit switch located just above the tilt mechanism. I have no info on this switch. I could have broken the stop (fell off in my hand) while perusing this switch so it's possible this switch could be bad.

There shouldn't be any tilit limit switch. What you found is likely the trim gauge switch that sends the actual trim signal to your dash. The trim just stops, makes a different noise when at its limits...

Can you disconnect (un-plug) the switch inside the cowl and "sea trial" it? If it stops acting up, thats your problem

If you can post a FULL model # would also help in bringing up a parts diagram..

[dhanson48]

Model is F40TLR, serial #67CL 1026457K. I have disconnected the switch in the cowl and hope to go and test on Monday. I can reach up under there to the switch and move it through the full range of the switch while hitting the tilt switch and it doesn't seem to do anything up or down. Also its a tiller motor on an open boat so I have no dash or gauges. Thanks again for the help.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Sounds like the switch itself is faulty. Just make sure its unplugged from the harness(completly disconnected).

Of course the trim won't work but if its the switch(likely), the problem won't happen..

Please post what happens, the fix, etc and good luck..

[dhanson48]

I have the switch disconnected under the cowl but the tilt does still work. Are we talking about the same switch? The one I've found sure looks like a limit switch. It has a POS plastic stop that broke. Looks like it might stop the upward tilt from going too high. The stop is a white two piece clamp on device that looks like it could be adjusted. As I said earlier, I don't think the switch is doing anything (not working). I will definitely let you know what happens in sea trials.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have the switch disconnected under the cowl but the tilt does still work. Are we talking about the same switch? The one I've found sure looks like a limit switch. It has a POS plastic stop that broke. Looks like it might stop the upward tilt from going too high. The stop is a white two piece clamp on device that looks like it could be adjusted. As I said earlier, I don't think the switch is doing anything (not working). I will definitely let you know what happens in sea trials.

To my knowledge (I may be wrong), there is NO up or down/stop, limit switch.

There is usually a switch to plug into so you can see the tilt on the dash (if equipped)

If the switch is unplugged, how is the tilt working??


Can you find and post what part from here is broke;

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Ya...0TR/parts.html

There's different sections of the engine listed there as well, you may have to do some searching about....

[99yam40]

And you thought he knew the system
Seems some of my posts disappeared, but I am not going to redo them