1988 Johnson 88 hp control box

[disisjc]

Hi all,
I just bought a used pontoon boat for my daughter and grandchildren to use this summer. Checked it all out and then took it to the bay for a trial run...Cranks good but won't go into either forward or reverse..I can manually put it in either gear at the motor..I suspect the control box or linkage adjustment..Don't know enough about either one to ask an intelligent question about them.. So I guess I'm asking that if anyone can give me an idea of where to start that would be helpful.

 

[jc turtle]

Re: 1988 Johnson 88 hp control box

It would seem that the cables are seized up. You can unbolt the cables on the
side of the motor and try to activate the cables from the control. If you can't
move them, then the cables are frozen up or they have a bad kink somewhere.
You must have the cables disconnected if you can shift it manually. Check it
out. At least, the motor itself shifts. Cables are cheap. Good luck, John

 

[disisjc]

Re: 1988 Johnson 88 hp control box

Thanks for your reply...
I took the control box apart and found that some1 had ran (I guess) new cables but had not run them thru the black plastic hole and it had wedged it self in there..Anyway removed and now it shifts smooth as butter..yooo hooo my first outboard repair is a success..