The green and the blue both need to be connected to the battery, one to (+) and one to (-) . The direction the motor turns depends on which wires are connected to which posts.
Tilt/Trim quandary
- Thread starter Halfhitch
- Start date
OK, thanks for that. I was thinking the motor grounded through the case. This will be easy then. Thanks
Seasick, I finally got my brain alignment and did just what you suggest here. The tilt/trim worked flawlessly in both directions when hooked to a test battery. When testing the down direction that is giving trouble, I connected and disconnected 20 times and it never failed to activate. I then hooked everything back up like normal operating mode and the down direction never operated mor than 3 times without failing to activate. When it would fail to go, I would continue to hold the "Down" rocker and whack the relay with the plastic handle of a large screwdriver. Instant action in the down direction. I would stop and re activate the rocker till it failed to go and I would whack the relay and instant operation. I did this 6 times and every time the single whack of the relay caused it to start working. I think your high- tech testing has produced valid results. Not sure if I should buy a new relay or just hang that screwdriver back there and run a string up to the helm so I can jerk on it when needed.
Thanks for the wise words from all who helped guide me to success. Especially Seasick.
Fishtales
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Always check the trim using the dual button, the individual buttons on the controls and down by the motor. I have found the switches are prone to become intermittent. Can be cleaned and sprayed with WD40 and seem to work fine after. Could be a motor but those switches are the first thing to check. Poor design if you ask me.
I'm a little late back to the party here, but didn't want you to think I went away 
No, you don't have to disconnect anything. You just need to locate the larger green and blue wires that go the motor. Jump 12V+ to one of them. You can do this using a sufficiently sized jumper wire from a hot 12V lug on the engine or use a portable source (and of course ground the portable source).
I have absolutely no idea if you can "get into" that relay... but if you could, you may be able to sand/file/smooth the contacts.
I like the idea of using some penetrating fluid to lubricate the plungers. I've never tried that - but it sounds like a reasonable idea.
This same problem happens with Mercruiser (and I'm sure others) tilt and trim relay solenoids. They will click but not actually pass enough juice. These solenoids only cost $20 so we just swap them for new - it's not worth investigating any further with those.
No, you don't have to disconnect anything. You just need to locate the larger green and blue wires that go the motor. Jump 12V+ to one of them. You can do this using a sufficiently sized jumper wire from a hot 12V lug on the engine or use a portable source (and of course ground the portable source).
I have absolutely no idea if you can "get into" that relay... but if you could, you may be able to sand/file/smooth the contacts.
I like the idea of using some penetrating fluid to lubricate the plungers. I've never tried that - but it sounds like a reasonable idea.
This same problem happens with Mercruiser (and I'm sure others) tilt and trim relay solenoids. They will click but not actually pass enough juice. These solenoids only cost $20 so we just swap them for new - it's not worth investigating any further with those.
I wondered if you had gone fishing. I finally got time right at dark last night to verify that a little shock makes the contacts work, so I didn't investigate further. Today I'm going to check all the connections good for looseness and corrosion.I'm a little late back to the party here, but didn't want you to think I went away
No, you don't have to disconnect anything. You just need to locate the larger green and blue wires that go the motor. Jump 12V+ to one of them. You can do this using a sufficiently sized jumper wire from a hot 12V lug on the engine or use a portable source (and of course ground the portable source).
I have absolutely no idea if you can "get into" that relay... but if you could, you may be able to sand/file/smooth the contacts.
I like the idea of using some penetrating fluid to lubricate the plungers. I've never tried that - but it sounds like a reasonable idea.
This same problem happens with Mercruiser (and I'm sure others) tilt and trim relay solenoids. They will click but not actually pass enough juice. These solenoids only cost $20 so we just swap them for new - it's not worth investigating any further with those.
Good diagnostics.
The relay is bad unfortunately. Personally, I would look for a used one on eBay. I generally don't recommend used parts but $300 for the relay is ridiculous
Today I removed the relay and found that it has 6 screws holding the two halves together I was able to separate the two halves just enough to spray a few shots of WD40 in. I screwed it back together and it works perfectly. I probably hit the 'down' button 30 times and it never missed a lick. Instead of 330 bucks, it cost 4 squirts of WD40 and a few minutes of an old guys day. Gonna splash it tomorrow and see how she does.
ha ha ha.....a guy just can't get ahead.Great. Now you can use that $300 to buy a dozen eggs
I have twin 2003 Yamaha 225s. I have had to replace both trim tilt motors and one relay switch. Reading through all the posts your problem is most likely the relay. If you can swap the blue and green wires (blue is up like the sky and green is down like the ground) and the problem now is consistent with the tilt in the opposite direction my guess is the relay.