1998 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

[jpmohave]

My throttle gets stuck in forward even after putting it in neutral. The same thing happens in reverse.

At first I thought it was the rods being worn out but after I realized the shifter makes it back to the neutral position and its still stuck in gear I"m lost. It does go into neutral after 5-10 seconds of being stuck in gear.

Any ideas on what might cause this?

It's an OMC FOrd 2.3 I/O - the two shift rods connect on top near the upper gasket and shift a vertial bar forward for F gear, backeard for R gear and straight up and down for neutral. sometimes the Throttle itself also gets stiff when in gear and requires some force and me to "jimmy" with it to get into the neutral state where then the engine takes a moment to shift out of gear.

If you have any ideas please let me know

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1998 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

You may have a couple of things going on there.


You probably have a bad ESA/switches and/or needs to be readjusted and/or a defective and/or mis-adjusted lower shift cable.

If you don't have an OMC service manual and you want to be able to understand how it all works, now would be a good time to get one (and not a Seloc or Clymer manual)

Also, you need to take a look at the following, http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

Otherwise take it to a marine dealer that is KNOWN to be able to successfully work on the Cobra.

If you continue to operate it like this you might cause permanent damage.

Regards,


Rick

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1998 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

might want to double check your year jpmohave. 1998 not right. Maybe 1988 or 89

 

[danond]

Re: 1998 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

As usual, Rick preaches truth.

Get a service manual - you really can't figure out the shifting by guessing. It has to be step-by-step, by the manual, no altering course.

Since this is your first dive into your shifting system, and that's the #1 reason Cobras die, I'd suggest starting the process by purchasing a new transom shift cable along with a factory service manual. That's the minimum you're going to need.

$150 now or $2000 later is typically how it works!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1998 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

$150 now or $2000 later is typically how it works!

Yeah, you got that one wired!!!

 

[jpmohave]

Re: 1988 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

Re: 1988 OMC FORD 2.3 Liter stuck in gear - Bayliner Capri

Thanks everyone - yes it is a 1988 not 98 and I definitely need a manual. I'll get that in process right away and appreciate all the feedback.