1970 Johnson 60hp shift solenoids knowledge help!

[jjacobs007]

I was wondering about the shift solenoids, why there almost the same but one has blue wire and other is green? Does it matter if installed reverse any help about how this works would be appreciated even knowledge of plastic piece between solenoids correct installation too. Thanks my fellow iboaters...

 

[F_R]

That motor is shifted hydraulically. The solenoids close a pair of oil flow control valves to make it shift. When energized, the one with a green wire makes it go into neutral gear. When BOTH are energized, it goes into reverse gear. When neither are energized it defaults into forward gear. Are you having shifting problems? Else why are you in there anyway?

 

[jjacobs007]

Yes I have no reverse

 

[F_R]

OK, that makes sense. I suppose you did some electrical tests before going in, right? Bad solenoids are fairly rare.

 

[racerone]

I have to agree.-----The solenoids are very reliable.-------Assemble the lower unit.----Fill with the right oil.---Put lower unit in a hefty vice.-----Lightly clamp a visegrip on the top of driveshaft.-------Put negative of 12 volt battery to the case.-----Put `12 volts to green wire.------Unit should shift to nuetral after one turn of the driveshaft.--------Apply 12 volts to green AND blue and the unit should shift to reverse after about 2 turns.

 

[F_R]

What racerone said is a valid test. Hint: what I do is remove the water pump (so it turns easy), then wrap a 1/4" nylon rope around the shaft a couple of turns. Hold one end of the rope while pulling the other end---kind of like a Boy Scout starting a fire with a stick.

 

[jjacobs007]

Yes I tested ohms on solenoids before installing they were good,but I got them on eBay used and I'm not Shure about if previous owner played with that plastic piece and it might be installed upside down.and also I was wondering if it really matters which solenoid is on top like green or blue aren't they the same? I know the general knowledge of how everything works but I'm looking for a explanation of more details of what the solenoid s do as power is applied more than just one does neutral and two do reverse.like does one solenoid pull up and the other pull down?

 

[F_R]

There are two ball valves below there. Energize one solenoid (green) and it holds one ball valve on its seat, blocking oil flow through that valve, making it go into neutral. Energize both solenoids and they hold both balls down, blocking both oil flow paths, making it go into reverse. Yes, the plungers push downward. Oil pressure is what holds them up a bit when not energized.

 

[Faztbullet]

Do you have neutral??? If not you could has a stuck plunger in oil pump/propshaft...

 

[racerone]

All I can say on this here is that it really matters how you install those solenoids.---What was wrong with the original solenoids or were they missing ?-----Myself I would simply take the whole thing apart for a complete inspection !!!

 

[jjacobs007]

There are two ball valves below there. Energize one solenoid (green) and it holds one ball valve on its seat, blocking oil flow through that valve, making it go into neutral. Energize both solenoids and they hold both balls down, blocking both oil flow paths, making it go into reverse. Yes, the plungers push downward. Oil pressure is what holds them up a bit when not energized.

Thanks this info helps.

 

[jjacobs007]

All I can say on this here is that it really matters how you install those solenoids.---What was wrong with the original solenoids or were they missing ?-----Myself I would simply take the whole thing apart for a complete inspection !!!

The solonoids test good on ohms, I got the lower unit and solenoids on eBay for 125.00. the engine runs good and neutral works but reverse is barely engaging not enough to back up boat.

 

[jjacobs007]

Do you have neutral??? If not you could has a stuck plunger in oil pump/propshaft...

Yes I have neutral and put in new type c lubricant

 

[jjacobs007]

I checked the voltage coming from the shifter switch and both wires are reading 10.6 that seems low with a battery reading 12.3. Right? In the process I noticed a loose connection where the reverse wire was crimped together just before it goes down to lower unit by exhaust.let me fix that and test it on hose.

 

[racerone]

Common for the lobes on the clutch dog and reverse to be worn.----And that problem has NOTHING TO DO with the solenoids.----The solenoids simply close off holes in the pump body.-----The solenoids do NOT do the actual shift / moving of the clutch dog.-Take this unit apart for inspection !!

 

[jjacobs007]

Common for the lobes on the clutch dog and reverse to be worn.----And that problem has NOTHING TO DO with the solenoids.----The solenoids simply close off holes in the pump body.-----The solenoids do NOT do the actual shift / moving of the clutch dog.-Take this unit apart for inspection !!

Let me try a better connection on that reverse wire and if that doesn't fix it than I have another lower unit in yard that shifts good it will need the two seals by prop before I can run it through, thanks for helping

 

[jjacobs007]

I got them shifting now, if you dont put correct shift solonoid where it belongs then the neutral one doesnt have enough force to push down reverse ball I found out.Probably why its more expensive too.