This 250 e-Tech has been a great motor despite a minimum of service maintenance. About four years ago after the dealer replaced the lower unit and water pump the trim sensor lever arm was found to be broken and I still need to replace it. Then about 1-1/2 years ago the motor would only trim up but not down, I believe. The trim relay was replaced with a new relay but that did not fix the issue. I watched a YouTube video and 'jumpered' a connector on the port side of the engine with a small piece of wire bent in the shape of a staple (n) -for an upper limit switch and all worked well until now.
After fishing a tournament the Sunday before last, the tilt/ trim completely stopped working as the boat was loaded on the trailer. With the help of a couple buddies we opened the 'manual release valve' on the left (port) side of the engine mounting bracket with a flat bladed screw driver. (It would be a good idea to know where this poorly marked valve is located in case this happens to you!)
When I got back to the garage, I replaced the trim relay with the "good" one I removed about 1-1/2 years ago. Unfortunately nothing happens but a 'click' at the relay when pushing any of the three different trim switches. Using directions in the factory service manual, both trim relays tested good but the trim motor does not run or even hum.
The manual says to:
1.) make sure the Manual Release Valve is closed, it is.
2.) replace the Manual Release Valve (is the valve likely the problem if the pump doesn't run?)
3.) perform tilt trim relay test (both relays I have tested 'good' ie. 12 Volts on wires A & B when 12V's were applied to terminal wires 1 & 2)
4.) remove trim motor and check drive (the motor does not even run)
5.) install a new pump manifold assembly (Yikes!)
Wouldn't it be a good ideal to perform the 'electrical circuit test' on the trim motor; I suspect the motor may have gone bad, can you confirm this with an ammeter test (p 372) or a volt meter? I suspect a new pump manifold assembly is expensive; a pump could probably be replaced for much less.
Happy New Year,
Mark