1973 Johnson 50 HP Shift Problem

S

safirst

Recruit
Joined
Jul 14, 2007
Messages
2
The model number on my motor is 50ESL73A so I assume its 1973 vintage? Anyway I am having a problem shifting the motor into forward or reverse. I have to rev the engine up before it will shift (fwd or rev), or "play" with the throttle to get it to shift. I have changed the oil in the "leg" (Type C oil). Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
F

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1973 Johnson 50 HP Shift Problem

Playing with the throttle huh? Sounds like a bad shift switch in the remote control.

Check the voltages at the blue and green wires back at the motor where they go down toward the lower unit. Should have 12v on the green one in neutral, 12v on both the green and blue ones in reverse, nothing on either wire in forward. Check it more than one shift cycle. Must be consistant. If it doesn't pass the test, the switch is bad...or the wireing.
 
S

safirst

Recruit
Joined
Jul 14, 2007
Messages
2
Re: 1973 Johnson 50 HP Shift Problem

Thanks for your reply. I looked at the motor and tried to find green and blue wires to no avail. In fact I couldn't see any wires going towards the lower unit. My motor is a Powershift II if that means anything.
 
F

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1973 Johnson 50 HP Shift Problem

Oops, disregard previous comments. 1973 is the year they changed from Hydro-Electric to Powershift. You have no electric switches or wires. Sorry about that.

Disconnect the control cable from the motor and see if it will shift manually.
 
ccnstlr

ccnstlr

Seaman
Joined
Dec 25, 2006
Messages
69
Re: 1973 Johnson 50 HP Shift Problem

I feel like imported F R is on the right track. Had similar issues with my motor, wouldn't go into forward gear, would kinda grind and as I increased throttle would 'slam' into gear which can't be good for the lowers. It was the control cable gone bad. Changed them both, and all is well again. Think as F R says, disconnect the shift control cable from the linkage at the motor and attempt to put it in gear by hand. With your motor not running you can turn the prop by foot as you're trying to shift to feel it go into gear.
 
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