[Kajun37]

my buddy bought a old boat cheap...it has a 1969 evinrude 55hp model # 55973A serial# J04899 and it had no spark.. so he brings it over and we track it down to the amplifier/powerpack...i found him a good used one and we change that out and it started right up..sounds great....shifted it into forward..works good...neutral..works good....put in reverse and nothing happens....it is an electric shift model...the control box has 3 buttons to shift it....

he doesnt have a manual which i have told him to buy a few times.... can anyone tell me some troubleshooting procedures for this problem? i'd like to get it fixed so i can get it out of my driveway...its been here over a week....any info on this would be appreciated.

[F_R]

First things first. Check the oil in the lower unit. It is the hydraulic fluid for shifting as well as lubricant. Must use OMC/BRP Premium blend oil. No water allowed in there.

Now, locate the blue and green wires by the powerhead that go down to the lower unit. Slide the insulator sleeves back so you can check the voltage at the connector terminals. Turn the key on and push the reverse button. You should have battery voltage at BOTH green and blue wires. Same thing with neutral button pushed except should show battery voltage at green only. No voltage on either wire in forward. Shift back and forth a few times, switch failure is usually intermittant.

If it fails any of these tests, the problem is electrical, most likely a bad push button switch. They do that a lot.

If it passes the electrical test, the problem is between the connectors and the lower unit, or inside the lower unit.

You DO know that the motor has to be running to shift don't you? But it doesn't have to be running to do the above electrical tests.

[Kajun37]

thanks FR...i will try those tips....

i checked the LU it was this yellow oil in it...but it was full...it wasnt milky.....

the motor was running when i was shifting it...it would go in forward and neutral fine...but nothing when i pressed the button to go in reverse....it didnt even seem like it was trying to go in reverse....i'll get out there tommorow and report back what i found.

[Dhadley]

Keep in mind this is not an electric shift. It's hydro-electric.

There are two wires going to the lower unit. Follow F R's instructions on how to check the voltage. 12 volts on both = reverse.

You gotta have the right oil too. It wouldn't hurt to start fresh there. Again, follow F R's advise.

[papasage]

the shalft could be stuck in the power head or the shift rod disconected under the bottom carb .
check this titral
http://www.meegsonline.com/tmd/waterpump.wmv

[Dhadley]

I wish it was that simple. Unfortunately there is no shift shaft on a 69 55hp. This is a hydro-electric unit.

[papasage]

i know that . i posted that in the rong place . just a wire conection on that . not fermiluar with the 69 have worked on a 1972 . and still have a 1971 on a runabout