How to check if motor goes to neutral?

[FBPirate95]

If the motor isn't running, and the control is in the neutral position, should you be able to turn the prop by hand without feeling any resistance from the motor?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: How to check if motor goes to neutral?

Yes

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: How to check if motor goes to neutral?

Ok...now that I have that answer, what is my next step if I'm not able to freely turn the prop in neutral? I'm assuming I'm going to have to drop the lower unit. But is there anything else I can do or check before that?

 

[rusirius]

Re: How to check if motor goes to neutral?

Keep a little pressure on the prop and try moving the shift towards reverse... (assuming it was in forward last)... vice versa otherwise...

If you can get it to pop into neutral before going into gear, then chances are you just need to adjust the shift linkage.

 

[Rick.]

Re: How to check if motor goes to neutral?

Assuming your motor is cabled, I would disconnect the cables and try shifting into the three positions and see if it goes into neutral that way. If it does, cable adjustments are more likely your problem. Rick.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: How to check if motor goes to neutral?

Thanks! I'll look at it this evening.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: How to check if motor goes to neutral?

Alright, I found the shift problem. The bolt that connects the shift rod to the control cables had come loose and fell out. It was lying on the bottom of the motor housing. The fun part was trying to put it back together. Its almost impossible to get to. But after about 45 min of cussin' I finally got it to connect and tightened up.