Tilt trim switch in throttle handle

[Kim1181]

I've used the search to try to find an answer to this I can't find one so I'm gonna have to ask. I have a 2000 Mercury with a 50 hp 2 stroke outboard. This was weekend #3 on the lake... the tilt and trim has been working fine until this weekend. The t/t switch does not seem to be working. Upon first inspection it appeared to be pushed too far in, released that hoping that would take care of the problem but it did not. It wants to stick in which ever direction you push it. The switch is on the throttle handle. Can I just replace the switch, or just the throttle handle and switch? Thank you in advance for your help.

[Ron Burgundy]

Do you have a tilt/trim switch on the motor also? Does it work?

[Kim1181]

No it's not working either... so could it possibly be an electrical problem?? Long story short... three people took this boat apart... two different people put this boat back together... last week it was the ignition switch, after I bought a new one and replaced it this weekend we found the screws for the old ignition... figured out the three that took the boat apart took the ignition apart in order to raise the console to lay new carpet, they wrapped the wires around the ignition and taped it, I can't even believe the boat stared for two consecutive weekends before we got stranded! So now I'm thinking maybe they could have disconnected something that is associated with the tilt/trim... however the switch still doesn't seem to be working properly.

[rrhodes]

On the models I have worked on the power for the Trim comes from the fuse block and that switch being bad or not having a solid connection could also cause issues using the trim buttons on the motor. These were older models so I am not 100% sure that it is true for yours. There should be 3 wires, one is the power and the other 2 are up and down... Check the fuse first... If that is good try jumping the power and one of the 2 other wires to see if it is the actual switch.

It could be the Switch, Fuse, Relay or simply an loose connections.

[Ron Burgundy]

I had a similar problem a while back. It ended up needing a new trim motor, but I bet your issue is electrical. Check out this thread. It has some good diagnostic tips....viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6515

[GregF]

There is a relay in there that runs the up and down (one each). Is it only up or down that is failing? You can swap the relays to prove what is bad. These are the same little 1" square cube plug in relays you see in cars (the cut in was late 90s I think). Prior to that you had a round solenoid (relay) like the starter solenoid on a lawn tractor.

The advantage to the old style was you could just bridge the big contact bolts with a screwdriver to get home.

[Kim1181]

Thanks everyone!!!! Happy boating!!! =)