Another Johnson Stuck in Fwd Gear

[doublestack]

Hello to all,<br />I have recently inherited a 1992 Johnson 90 from my father-in-law. After I got it, the outboard ran fine a few times and now it is starting to have problems. The latest one is that it is stuck in fwd. It startes in fwd, even though the shifter is in neutral position, and when I put it in reverse, it goes fwd. The shifter seems kinda loose so I thought it might be something to do with that. Oh, and while a freind was over helping with another issue, he shifted it into gear without the motor running. After that we read that you are not supposed to do that. What could have been damaged by doing so? <br /><br />The shop manual for this motor is on the way, but I thought I would ask here first if anyone had any suggestions. I just stumbled apon this forum a few days ago and have tried to read as much as I can. Any help is greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Travis

 

[Walker]

Re: Another Johnson Stuck in Fwd Gear

Have you tried shifting it with the linkage on the motor. It sounds to me like your shift cable may be broken. The nuetral safety switch is in the control box, so if you can get the control box shift lever in neural the motor will start if the lower unit is still in forward. Watch the motor's shift linkgae while you work the control box and see if its moving too. Get back to us.

 

[doublestack]

Re: Another Johnson Stuck in Fwd Gear

Hey Walker,<br /><br />Thanks for the speedy reply. I will try that tonight when I get home and let you know tomorrow. How difficult is it to replace a broken shift cable? and is that what would be damaged if you shift an outboard into gear with out the engine runnig? Thanks again.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Another Johnson Stuck in Fwd Gear

hello<br /> try removing the cable from the pivot on the engine andshifting at the engine. if it works there the problem is in the controls/cables.<br /> if the cable fails and gets stiff and ya just keep pushing harder, the plastic gear mechanism in the box will break. its rather expensive but if the gear in the box broke the cable is bad as well. the gear assy is pricey.