88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

[bower5]

I was heading to shore going very slow (less than 8 mph) when I moved the throttle from forward to reverse. Instead of the engine going into reverse it accelerated forward. I moved the throttle to Neutral and coasted to the shore and turned the engine off. I went a-shore, used the bathroom, and got back to the boat to fire the engine up. I got nothing. I popped the engine cover and with my very little / no knowledge of outboards tried to see if there was a loose wire. None were observed. I moved the throttle forward and then into reverse and saw where it moved in the engine. I then moved some of these cables back and forth in the engine and after moving this one thing the engine would start but I would have to flip it each time to get the engine to start. Well the engine will start, but no forward or reverse and the prop won't spin. HELP!! Am I looking at something simple or an expensive repair? How many $$$? bower5@earthlink.net

 

[DJ]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Cory,<br /><br />Your engine probably has a nuetral start safety switch. Does it start of you rock the gear shift lever back and forth while trying to crank it?

 

[bower5]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

djohns:<br /><br />I tried starting it the same ole way (in Neutral, turn the key).. still nothing. I tried what you said above. The starter in engaged the first time I tried it, but it will not do it again. HELP!!!

 

[Walker]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Sounds like maybe your shift cable broke.

 

[bower5]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

When I move the throttle back and forth you can see cables moving in the engine. Do you think it could still be the shift cable if I can see this?? Thanks!!!

 

[DJ]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Cory,<br /><br />I think it's your nuetral switch.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I do not know where it is on your rig. Most are inside the gear/throttle control box.

 

[bower5]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Is a neutral switch expensive? Easy to replace? How much would it cost to be replaced??<br /><br />Thanks!!

 

[Walker]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Your neutral safety switch is either in the control box or mounted on the engine somewhere along your shift linkage. You need to take a real good look at how the shift cable and linkage work. Have someone move the shifter while you watch. The cable needs to be moving the linkage on the motor. A broken cable will still move but if its not moving the engine linkage then you can't shift.

 

[dcato]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Cory B - try checking on the condition of the shift rod. I'm not too familair with Force but they typically run down the powerhead and connect the linkage to the lower unit allowing the motor to shift. In older units were often made with non-stainless steel so they will eventually rust out and fail. Good luck.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Cory, your neutral safety switch should be located on the starboard (right) side of the engine in line with the about 4 inches behind the lower carb, to find the shift linkage follow the front of the lower unit up until you find the gap where the lower unit meets the upper unit, the shifter works by moving the rod up and down, have someone move the throttle/shifter control box and see if the rod goes up and down. From the simultaneous symptoms of no start and no forward/reverse engagement it sounds like the shift cables or linkage are broken, linkage on engine is separated (something fell apart), or least likely out of adjustment. Problems like this is when a manual really comes in handy.

 

[bower5]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

Thansk for all of the reply.. Keep them comming!!!

 

[bower5]

Re: 88 Force 125 O/B no forward or reverse

I guess the boat is off to the shop. Wish one of the ideas worked.