The last two times I had my boat out, I began having shifting problems. Time before last, when trying to shift into forward, it was clicking/grinding a little before it would engage in forward. This was at the dock. Once I got under way, I kept checking it and it was working fine, so I went on. The last time, it initially worked OK at the dock, but when I was out trying to get/stay on a spot, I was having a difficult time shifting it at all and the action had become very stiff. I would have to really rev it to get it into gear and it would slam, so I came back home. One cable is new this year (throttle) and the other came with the boat when I bought it three years ago. Disconnected at both ends, the older cable is actually smoother than the newer one. I oiled up the control box and put everything back together and it was still difficult to move. I did not realize I was suppose to have the engine running or be turning the prop when trying to shift the gears. Now, with the cables disconnected and trying to shift it manually with the engine running, the shifter will not move in either direction. The model number is J150PXEES. Did I screw it up? I would think if I had bent the shift rod it would at least work in one direction, but maybe not. I would love to be able to fix this without havein to drop the lower unit. I worked on my outboards when I was a teenager 30 years ago, but have not done it in a long time (cause I haven't had one). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long read.
