Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

[v12mac]

Twin 1993 200hp Johnson Ocean runners.

Well I broke my #1 rule of boating, I let someone borrow my boat. Now it is broken.

I think it is a stretched shift cable but I’d like a few other opinions before I go switching parts out

The bolt that holds the adjuster on the engine was loose so I tightened it up. The motor shifted into forward fine but wouldn’t go into reverse. When I adjusted it to more to the reverse I lost forward but I could engage reverse. I played with it a bit and until I reached a point where I could not get it into forward or reverse. So I figured that I didn’t have enough throw in either direction – Stretched shift cable??

I adjusted it back to where forward would engage and put the and put the boat away.

I have always had trouble with getting any JohnyRude to shift properly. Every 80’s-90’s Johnson I have ever run won’t go back in to N without the Johnson Jiggle, where when you pull out of gear you have to wiggle it in N to get it out of gear.

Does anyone have any tips or thoughts?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

"Fiddling" with this adjustment is a good way to never get it right! Put the throttle/shift lever on the control box in neutral. Disconnect the shift cable at the engine. Make sure that lever is neutral. Now bring the attachment point of the shift cable up to its attachment point on the shift lever. Don't pull or push on anything and don't attempt to reconnect it. Just look for perfect alignment of the two points. If they are in perfect alignment, attach the cable. That's the best you can do and if it doesn't select gears properly the cable is stretched or the control box is worn and repairs need to be made. If the two attachment do not align perfectly, adjust the trunion (threaded barrel on the cable) until they do align. Now connect the cable without pushing or pulling on anything. The cable should just slip into its attachment point.

 

[alden135]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

I have the same hassle with my 1990 120. I've tried the procedure outlined in the manual several times to no avail. I suspect the cable is stretched. I have to do the same "Johnson jiggle" to get the damn thing in/out of gear.

I'm going to replace the cable and try Silvertip's method (which is nothing like the manual).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

There is one other cable test you can do. When you think you have the trunion adjusted and the attachment points are perfectly aligned, push and pull on the shifter cable while watching the attachment points. If there is slop in the cable the shifter probably has some worn parts. There should be virtually no movement in the cable. Next, move the throttle/shift lever on the control box to forward. Then manually move the shift lever on the engine to forward. Check to see if the attachment points still line up. If not, you have a stretched cable or worn control box. Stretched cables can come from someone trying to put the engine in gear with the engine not running. Unless the clutch dogs are lined up in the lower unit the unit cannot shift and continued attempts to get it in gear stretches the cable.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

Thanks I am going to dig into it this week.

Any pros have an opinion on OEM and Aftermarket cables?

Mac

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

i've had no problems with teleflex cables.

 

[noelm]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

I also have the same problem, but fail to see how a cable can "strech" to cause this, as it will still be able to be adjusted to get gears?? I have had my control box apart a few times and nothing seems to be worn, I think that the moving parts all wear a bit, but none to the point where is can be seen, would be nice to have a new control box to try and eliminate it as a cause, I am going to buy a cable (it is the cheapest first part for testing) hope it turns out to be a cable, but do not see how it can be, but I have been wrong before!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

A stretched cable cannot be adjusted properly. Its a simple matter of physics. Adjust a stretched cable to get forward gear and it will not get reverse. The reason is that you need to shorten the cable. When you do that and try to shift into reverse, the cable is now too short and reverse won't engage. The same is true if you adjust it for reverse -- you won't get forward. If the "throw" in the control box was adjustable, then it would be possible.

 

[noelm]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

OK, Do you know if there is a common "wear" part in the control?? I have looked at mine very closely and there seems to be no worn parts, but may as I said, a lot of parts are worn a bit (or the cable is stuffed!)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

Anything inside the box can wear. Any wear in any part that alters the throw or travel of the cable, or a stretched cable results in the problem you are having. If you've followed the adjustment procedure in the manual or used the procedure I suggested and it still doesn't work, you are either adjusting things incorrectly, the cable is stretched, or the box is worn. That's the best I can do for you. With the cable disconnected, Hold the end of it while you have someone move the throttle lever. Remember, the shift cable is the first one to move, then the throttle picks up. If the lever moves a fair amount before the cable moves, the box is worn. If it moves immediately, you probably have a stretched cable.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

Wow, looks like some others are having the same issues with "The Johnson Jiggle"

How about a post under the FAQ for OMC?

Mac

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

Throttle and shift cables do not cost a fortune and are relatively easy to replace. Why not replace it and eliminate it as a potential source of the problem. If it doesn't correct the problem you have one new cable for the control box you will be installing. d

 

[v12mac]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

Turns out that the shift cables are fine, there is some wear in the control box but the failure occurred where the linkage goes under the power head. The rod that rotates forward and back to actuate the shift rod has come loose from the metal plate that connects the shift linkage. I am having trouble finding the part name in my manual (I’ll take a photo when it all comes apart this weekend)

Mac

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

Shift cables have an inner core that is stainless steel.It probably doesn't stretch much.What happens is the outer housing slips away from it's crimped cable ends and gets longer and looser.That may throw shifting off a tad,

Real old cables have old housings that are worn,and that causes slop.If your cables going into the control or back at that the motor show this,get new cables.

Think about this (I really don't mean to preach) How many of us are running 1988 motors and the rigging is that old?Time to update ? Almost 20 years. !

DHP

 

[mikesea]

Re: Shift cable problem? The Johnson FRN Jiggle

another tip for those whom do their own work and have curious creatures(kids,bored friends)make SURE no one spins the shift shaft while your doing something else,its threaded(for you that dont know)and turning it takes it out of sync.Been there