225 etec issue/question

[erebus]

So my new to me 23 Sceptre came with a 2012 225 etec.
Launched the boat weekend before last and had one successful sunset run on Pleasant Bay mid-week.
After getting back to the mooring, while trimming up I noticed the trim/tilt motor was laboring a bit at the end of the tilt.
Voltage was dropping a little too.

Went out yesterday to check it out and the trim and tilt motor is DOA.
No up, no down, no noise no nothin'.
Threw a new relay pack on it, which clicks away happily and provides 12 volts to the TNT motor, but at the motor there is nobody home.
Checked continuity at the motor and it showed 120 K-ohms, which is so much resistance as to almost act as a full open.
Hauled the boat out and ordered a new trim and tilt motor.

At the yard today I was getting ready to start my disassembly, opened the manual release valve and could not, no way, no how lift the motor up.
Two guys yanking on it and it was just bouncing and coming up hard.
Would easily go down though.
WTF?
Usually you can lift a motor (any brand) easily with the release valve open. I don't know whats going on.
Tomorrow I need to get the floor jack out and see if that'll do it I guess (or the forklift?).

Any etec guys out there have any insight?
Motors only got 146 hours on it.
I'm kind of stumped.