omc cobra reverse problem

[Riven]

Hi guys...ran across this site while searching for a fix to my problem. Hopefully you can help me on this one.

Ok, so last fall I purchased a 1989 Lund Tyee with a 4cyl omc engine and a cobra outdrive. The engine model is 302APRMED, and the stern drive is a model 985684.

When I put it in the water for the first time last fall, to do some fishing, the boat started fine, but once I put it in forward, it would not come out. this caused me to ding my prop a bit. I continued fishing anyway....with no neutral or reverse.

once done fishing, I loaded it up and brought it home to see what the problem was. all it was, was the shift cable came out of it's little "notch" because the cotter pin was missing. So I just put it back in place.

Fast forward to this spring.....put the boat back in the water and all seemed fine, except that it shifted hard. Forward was stiff, and reverse was even stiffer. then the other day, no reverse at all. I removed the shift cable from the bracket on the engine and tried pulling/pushing on it to see if it would shift. with the engine running (on trailer with garden hose hooked up), I could pull on the cable and it would shift into forward with no problem, then I could push on it and get neutral. however, it would not push in anymore to get reverse. when the cable it attached to the shift mechanism, it will go into forward, and neutral, but when I try to put it in reverse, I can see that it puts pressure on the shift cable, but the cable will not move. It just won't go in reverse. no grinding,,,,no nothing...just stays in neutral.

now my question....could this be an adjustment, a bad shift cable, or is my reverse gear toast? I had no problem with reverse gear before this, except that it would shift hard. no ratcheting or anything like that....just hard to shift, but did go into reverse.

I just ordered an OMC repair manual for for it, as well as a parts list catalog, but would like to get a jump start on the problem with a little help from you guys, if possible. My other boat had a stringer 400, and I learned my way around that drive, including rebuilding it twice myself over a 15 yr period. I am just not familiar at all with the cobra. and from what I have read, the cobra outdrive is notorious for eating up gears....is this true?

any suggestions or thoughts as to what could be wrong?

Thanks.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: omc cobra reverse problem

now my question....could this be an adjustment, a bad shift cable, or is my reverse gear toast? I had no problem with reverse gear before this, except that it would shift hard. no ratcheting or anything like that....just hard to shift, but did go into reverse.

I just ordered an OMC repair manual for for it, as well as a parts list catalog, but would like to get a jump start on the problem with a little help from you guys, if possible. My other boat had a stringer 400, and I learned my way around that drive, including rebuilding it twice myself over a 15 yr period. I am just not familiar at all with the cobra. and from what I have read, the cobra outdrive is notorious for eating up gears....is this true?

any suggestions or thoughts as to what could be wrong?

Thanks.

Howdy,


Welcome Aboard!

Well, yes to all of the above. It could be any or all of the above items. More than likely though it's the lower shift cable.....unless the drive itself is damaged

It's good that you have ordered an OMC manual. Make sure that it's the OEM manual (Seloc or Clymer usually won't "cut it")

While you're waiting for the manual, it might be good to have a look at the following info http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

It's worth it to know exactly how the system works. Then you'll see why the lower shift cable and adjustments are SO critical.

In a "nut-shell" the drive should shift easily (without activating the ESA) only when going INTO FWD/REV gears.........

If it's out of the water, the ESA should NOT activate at all going into OR out of gear.

IN THE WATER the ESA should activate ONLY when coming out of gear..... The Hastings article explains pretty well .......

Regards,


Rick

 

[Riven]

Re: omc cobra reverse problem

Wow Rick...that was a quick reply. I saw another post where someone posted back in June and didn't get any replies, so I was unsure just how active this site is. With your 5000+ posts, I guess it is, and thanks for the welcome!

ok...1st, I don't believe, or at least I hope, that it is not lower drive damage. I know absolutely nothing about the cobra drives, at least as far as the shifting goes. but gears are gears, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out once I get the manual.

as for the manual, it's genuine omc. found a brand new one on ebay. there were only two for my year..one was $59, the over over $100. guess which one I bought! I order the original omc parts book along with it. both brand new never used.

as for the Stuart Hasting article, it was one of the first things I came across, and read, while googling my problem. very informative, but still a little greek to me until I actually get a good look at the manual (pictures), and take a look at my unit once I remove it. you see, I am more visual.

anyway, I kinda think it could be the cable. when the shift cable is disconnected from the side of the engine, like I said...I can pop it in and out of forward just fine. it's smooth as silk. but when I push the cable in to pop it into reverse, it's like I am pushing against a wall. it won't budge...and I pushed as hard as I could, to the point that I would have probably kinked the end of the cable if I didn't stop. if it was the gears, I think the cable would move at least a bit, and I would have a little gear grinding going on....but it isn't like that. it just won't budge at all.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: omc cobra reverse problem

With your 5000+ posts, I guess it is, and thanks for the welcome!

Nah.......it just means I have WAY TOO MUCH time on my hands!!!!

Even when the cable moves easily, It can sometimes still be the cable if the cable is corroded internally. They'll move pretty easily if there's nothing to push...........I.E. you're not trying to get it out of the gear that requires "pushing" ( I can't remember which gear that is)

Also, if the ESA has stopped working and someone has forced it out of gear (in the "push" direction) a few times it can bend also the cable or "spring" the cable jacket etc..... the ESA HAS to work. If it doesn't (because of switch problems, adjustment etc) don't force it!

The manual is pretty good explaining how to adjust. The measurements are fairly critical because you don't want to go too far either way going into or out of a gear or it screws it up going the "other-way".


Hastings is right. Adjusted correctly with a "good" lower shift cable, (and no other damage etc) A Cobra will shift with a finger. Mine did.