2003 Johnson 115 HP Four Stroke - Shifting out of Neutral

[matemple]

I have a 2003 Johnson 115 HP Four Stroke that is becoming very difficult to shift out of neutral. Once in gear it works fine in both forward and reverse but getting it into gear is sometime challenging. It works like a charm some time and other times I almost impossible to get into gear.

Looking for suggestion to where to start to diagnose this issue.

 

[jakedaawg]

Change L.U. fluid and inspect for metal. If no metal then inspect shift cable and remote control.

Cables can stretch and get wonky.

remote controls can get wear and looseness.

If no metal in LU fluid you might also try shifting by hand after removing the cable from the linkage...

When you say trouble with forward gear does it just Click repeatedly when it fails to go into gear?

Have you done a H2O pump on this and maybe inadvertently changed the shift rod adjustment?

Did the issue develop suddenly or gradually over time?

 

[matemple]

The problem has developed over time but seems to have become worse when I started using this season after being stored for the winter.

The problem occurs when I try to shift it into gear, no clicking at all just hard to get out of neutral and into forward or reverse.

Will look at the cables and control box.

 

[boobie]

Check all the shift linkage on the motor for having some binding in it.

 

[racerone]

Used in salty water ?