1988 85 HP Force shift problem

[brdhntr]

Ok, been having a problem for some time. When I shift from forward to neutral, the neutral safety switch isn't depressed. Going from N-R-N, safety switch is fine. If I adjust so I get the switch depressed from N-F-N, then N-R-N stops working. Basically, it seems like the shift cable is moving more in one direction than in the opposite. Can't seem to figure out why. Shift linkage appears to be adjusted right on the motor, but it is hard to shift by hand with the cable off. Also, it is having trouble engaging forward. Once in it runs fine, but the intial shift jerks bad once before engaging. Didn't do this in the past. Last oil change did not have any metal in it, so hoping it isn't the gears, but an easy fix.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Newtral safety switch is for not starting in gear and wont help shift at all.
Remove the cable connector,shift the shifter back and forth stopping in neutral.Then adjust the cable connector to meet the motor connector.
What are the RPM's set at? They should be 750 in gear.J

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

I don't have a tach so I'm not sure on the RPM. Is there a way to determine it with a voltmeter? I'm assuming a tach reads voltage in a ciruit and converts to rpm.

I already tried the adjusting the cable to the neutral position, and that didn't help my shifting problem. I have the Clymer manual and my shift linkage appears to be set properly, ie, the two parts on the shifter that are supposed to line up in neutral, do.

My concern with the safety switch is not that it is causing shifting problems. It is the fact that depending on the gear I'm in and shift to neutral before turning off the engine, engine won't start. I acutually replaced the starte solenoid because I thought that was going bad. I have a habit of using reverse when docking before turning off the engine. Next trip out I would fire right up. Then I'd stop to drift or use my electric to troll from forward, and the engine would not restart. Took me a while to figure it out. The hard shifting is another problem all together. Thanks.

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Did you say your cable is hard to move when disconnected? It sounds like it is time for a new cable. The slop you have in the cable is probably the reason you are having problems with your neutral start switch also.

You can check the lower end by rotating the prop and moving the shift lever into forward and reverse. It should shift positively in both directions. You will have to move the prop in the proper direction of rotation for both fwd and rev. The clymer manual has the info, I just don't recall at the present time.

John

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Did you say your cable is hard to move when disconnected? It sounds like it is time for a new cable. The slop you have in the cable is probably the reason you are having problems with your neutral start switch also.

You can check the lower end by rotating the prop and moving the shift lever into forward and reverse. It should shift positively in both directions. You will have to move the prop in the proper direction of rotation for both fwd and rev. The clymer manual has the info, I just don't recall at the present time.

John

John,
The cable shifts moves fine when detached. It is the shift lever on the engine that is hard to move when turning the prop and trying to shift when the cable is detached.

So for the cable slop, tighten up the cable attachments? This makes sense because all this started when I replaced the fuel line, which was routed with the control cables. I had to cut the ties because the were riveted to the hull. Replaced with new cable ties, maybe need to do something else to tighten up. That may be why it has trouble going in and out of gear, I would guess, as well.

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

By shift lever, are you talking about the lever in the cowl that is actuated by the cable or are you talking about the rod coming out of the gear case?

John

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

By shift lever, are you talking about the lever in the cowl that is actuated by the cable or are you talking about the rod coming out of the gear case?

John

The shift lever in the cowl. I have not tried the rod coming out of the gear case. Never occurred to me.

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Try separating them, it is only a cotter key connection, and see if the problem is in the gear case or not. If the gear case shifts smoothly, then you may be able to lubricate the rod in the mid leg.

John

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Finally got around to pulling the cotter pin. Shift lever shifts fine when the pin is out. When the pin is in, I can shift into revers at the engine, but it not into forward, when turning the prop, of course. Feels like the linkage is binding in the lower unit trying to go into forward.

 

[john from md]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Hate to tell you this but you need to pull the lower apart. There should be no binding at all and the lower should shift into gear with no excessive force.

John

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Got it apart this afternoon. Definitely a problem. The seal around the shift rod is a mess, and all tore up. It appears to be preventing the rod from moving down. Going to pull apart the water pump tomorrow and see how that looks. The seals on the water tube were shot, had a thin sliver or rubber all around the shaft, not sure what that is from. Clymer says to make sure the drive shaft seal is removed with the shaft, but the schematic shows it below the water pump. I don't see it anywhere on the shaft and there isn't anything up in the housing to the top of the splines. Is this just a misprint in the manual?

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Ok, found the shaft seal last night, it was actually the spline shaft seal.

 

[Smokepole27]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Pictures?

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

Sorry, didn't take pictures. Got the water pump tore apart yesterday. Everything was in pretty good shape, except that shift rod seal, and it had the shift rod bound up so bad I couldn't pull it off until I lubed the rod. Internals look really good. Not even going to bother to pull the prop seals, as I don't have any water leakage. Just going to put in new seals on the gear cover and a new water pump and put her back together so I can start on replacing the stator. I'll try to remember to take some pictures tonight.

 

[brdhntr]

Re: 1988 85 HP Force shift problem

FINALLY got my parts this weekend and put her all back together. Motor is running fine, and at least on the muffs in the yard, the shift is crisp, and I don't have the problem with the neutral switch only engaging when going from reverse to neutral. It now engages when coming out of both gears. Plus, neutral is exactly in the center of the travel on the lever. Before, it seemed to want to stick in forward when the lever was in the neutral position. Need to get her on the water, but she seems to be running better than ever. Amazing how one little rubber seal can cause all kinds of havoc.