Fixing a Mercruiser Alpha or Bravo Tilt and Trim (Solenoid replacement)

Boat stuck on the trailer because the trim won't go down? Can't pull onto the trailer because your boat won't trim up?
You might have a solenoid problem.
This video explains how to test and repair your Mercruiser tilt and trim solenoids.
Here is what you need to get this done:
➡Solenoid: amzn.to/4bvcysh (get one for each direction that doesn't work, or just replace them both)
➡1/4 inch socket set: amzn.to/4bCgNC9
➡6 in 1 screwdriver: amzn.to/4byOrJ7
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[@trythistv]

Here is what you need to get this done: ➡Solenoid: amzn.to/4bvcysh (get one for each direction that doesn't work, or just replace them both) ➡1/4 inch socket set: amzn.to/4bCgNC9 ➡6 in 1 screwdriver: amzn.to/4byOrJ7 Links here are most likely affiliate links, should you choose to purchase from one of them, I may earn a small commission for referring you to the seller. And, this is done at no extra cost to you!

[@michaelbarnes1782]

Thank you so much for this video! Saved me an expensive marina visit! $30 and a little time and I'm back in business!

[@trythistv]

Awesome! glad it worked for you!

[@alexpapathomas6814]

great video dude very informative

[@trythistv]

Thanks! Glad it helped you out.

[@chadsmith3663]

Thanks for this video. Where do I find my solenoid on a Mercury outboard motor? Thanks

[@trythistv]

On a Mercury outboard there are smaller relays under the cowl that serve the same purpose, but can usually be changed without any tools. Take the cowl off and push the tilt/trim button and listen for the clicking noise

[@mauricenijdam8299]

My situation is even stranger. I cleaned the bilge area around the trim pump and afterwards I noticed the Trailer switch didn't work. The outdrive did trim up and down though. I checked if all the wires are connected and they seem to be. Now, the trim-down doesn't work but the trim-up does work - no clicking on the downposition. I had to shorten the solenoid for trimming the drive to the down position again. Fuses are ok. Could it just be the wiring is corroded??

[@trythistv]

I would start with checking the wiring or switches first. That is some bizarre symptoms you're having, makes me think something is not making a good connection for sure

[@mauricenijdam8299]

@@trythistv Thanks! I did clean some of the connections on the remote control and pump yesterday and the trim up and down work now. Just not the trailer position. Any specific wire it uses on the pump or could it be the trim sender on the B3?

[@GMrC-vy8mi]

Top Notch Video sir. Question got the same thing going on with my starter solenoid. Alpha one 3.0 .So i ordered two new ones. Looks the same 4 prongs just two on top two on the side. Should work you think?

[@trythistv]

Yep! It'll work! Mercruiser uses the same solenoid for the starter solenoid that they do for the tilt/trim motor on most applications. Very handy since I don't need to stock a pile of different solenoids! Hook it up and hit the water!

[@yoelcohen826]

Can you tell what model solenoid to buy, there is so many on Amazon and all over in different prices , which is the right one for the same exact trim motor on the video, thank you

[@trythistv]

The ones I used were a Sierra 18-5817 with angled bracket, I haven't seen the flat bracket style used on tilt/trim pumps so the angled is very likely what you want, here is a link to the exact ones I used: amzn.to/4bvcysh Keep in mind you will need 2 of those, one for up and one for down. Hope this helps!

[@Stankiem83]

Brilliant thank you, do you have a donation link?

[@trythistv]

I do indeed: trythistv.com/contribute/ Its still a bit rough, I'm not much of an aesthetic web designer person, the paypal donation button is on that page though!

[@yoelcohen826]

Great video !!!

[@trythistv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Dez2891]

If it doesn't click when I push the down button but jumping the solenoid moves the drive up and down. Doesn't that bypass the button meaning its the button on the throttle that is faulty?

[@trythistv]

It could be the button or wiring to the throttle handle button, but before you go checking all of that, you can try jumping power to the smaller terminal that has the blue/green wire on it, that is the trigger wire coming from the button. if it clicks and moves then the solenoid is good. If doing that does nothing then the coil side of the solenoid is burned up so it won't click. Typically they fail in the fashion where the coil is fine but the contacts are damaged so you get a click but no power transfer, but sometimes the coil will burn out and then you get no click and no power transfer. I believe there is also a fuse right there on the trim pump unit but if your button is moving it up and just not down then it wouldn't be the fuse.

[@section32able]

What happens if when you connect the terminals you get nothing? My top solenoid makes the motor run when I connect the two points. But the bottom does not. Could that be one of the fuses? So it goes up but not down.

[@trythistv]

You're connecting the large terminals and getting nothing? I would check if the bottom solenoid is getting a good 12v connection from the battery or if it drops out, could be where the large nut on the solenoid that is fed 12v has some corrosion or something.

[@faithramirez1729]

Thank you

[@trythistv]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@AchikSarih]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@trythistv]

De rien 😀

[@justindriscoll1844]

What if mine doesn't click at all. Could it be the switch itself and how do I fix that?

[@kevinhammond3162]

Mine doesn't click either. Still looking for a video on how to dismantle the throttle handle.

[@davidwright6519]

Same here.

[@trythistv]

Could be the switch, could also be a fuse. Or it could be the solenoids have packed up completely, Rarer than clicking and not moving but still totally possible. If I recall correctly, There are several fuses in and around the tilt/trim pump, possibly also a gigantic fuse that taps off the main battery feed to the starter, but that would typically cause other accessories to not function properly, possibly even cause no power to any part of the boat if the giant fusible link thing went bad. You could test the switch with a multimeter or test light at the trim pump, the small green with white stripe and small blue with white stripe come from the switch, and those should get 12 volts when the switch is pushed, if they aren't getting 12v then the fuse is bad, there is no power to the fuse due to some other wiring issue, or the switch is bad.

[@davidwright6519]

I checked the fuse and it was corroded out. Switched it and it worked

[@davidwright6519]

@trythistv checked the fuse and it wasn't blown, but had corroded out after 20 years. Thanks mate!