Electric shift trouble shoot.

[68ltdwagon]

I just got a 1970 OMC 115HP motor that has been sitting for 9 years. It is stuck in revease ans I tryed applieing 12V to each of the two wires running down to the lower unit and it would not shift, click or do anything. So I pulled off the lower unit and the oil looks like baby poop! I pulled out the electric shift solenoids and cleaned them up. How can I test these to see if they are good? What type of oil should I use in the lower unit. I started the engine with the lower unit off and it runs great. Need help!! Thanks

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Electric shift trouble shoot.

Keep in mind this is not an electric shift. This is a hydro-electric and totally different. There are lots og great posts on this type unit. Joe Reeves has some very easy to follow posts. <br /><br />First -- and most important -- before you do ANYTHING else, get an OE manual. Spend some time reading here while the manual is on the way. Once you understand the theory behind this unit you will see its very simple yet unlike what you think it is.<br /><br />Are you sure its stuck in reverse and not forward?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Electric shift trouble shoot.

This engine has the hydro-electric shift, it has to be cranking over, or running to shift. Trying to test as you discribe will not work. Try flushing the unit with cleaning solvent to flush out old lube. Fill the unit with fresh lube, crank, or run the engine to retest. If it works, drain unit, and refill again after a short running time. Might be your lucky day.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Electric shift trouble shoot.

The solenoids should each be 5-6 ohms. That unit will default into forward, though, so solenoids may be a dead-end alley. <br /><br />If it is in reverse, I suspect it stuck that way & that may well be why it was parked 9 years ago. If the flush & re-try doesn't work, you'll need to disassemble it & see what's sticking. Given your description of the LU fluid, you want to be sure the bearing surfaces aren't water-pitted. <br /><br />If you have the bearing carrier with the two threaded holes, be aware that a garden variety harmonic dampener puller will work.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Electric shift trouble shoot.

r u sure its in reverse, it should automatically be in forward, with no voltage. with your voltmeter, check the resistance between each selonoid and a good groud, should be 5 - 7 ohms.<br /><br />unit will only shift while cranking or while running<br /><br />as for oil, use ONLY TYPE " C " lower unit oil for electrically shifted gear cases. available almost anywhere lower unit lube is sold.<br /><br />with voltage on neither wire, unit is in forward gear. they do this so if your batt dies and you need to rope start it, you can still get back home.<br /><br />with voltage to BOTH wires , its in reverse and with voltage to one, (i cant remeber which, 50/50 chance) its in nuetral.....<br /><br />and as i said, it wont shift unless the motor is cranking