Evinrude not shifting

walleyeboater · #1 February 12th, 2008, 03:41 PM

Got a 1998 Evinrude 115hp, that will not shift out of forward. The throttle lever moves to all for, rev, and neut., but still stays in forward. It starts in gear (only way), and it will go to wot, and idle down fairly well , but it is still in gear. (forward) Any tips? Thanks

Dhadley · #2 February 12th, 2008, 03:50 PM

What has happened since the last time it did shift OK? Has the lower unit been off? Has anyone pulled the pin on the shift linkage and disconnected the linkage from the shift shaft?

tashasdaddy · #3 February 12th, 2008, 04:25 PM

is the shift linkage on the motor moving, when you move the control? could be broken cable, or connecting pin.

walleyeboater · #4 February 12th, 2008, 05:07 PM

I have been driving it in it's current condtion, nothing has been touched since it went haywire. I believe the linkage is moving from the throttle lever to the point on the side of the block that I can see it from the side of boat /w hood off. Kinda hard to do by yourself. Can this be diagnosed/ repaired w/out a manual?

Dhadley · #5 February 12th, 2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walleyeboater

I have been driving it in it's current condtion, nothing has been touched since it went haywire.

OK, but how about before it went haywire? At some point it was shifting OK then it wasn't. What was done to the motor just before it went haywire?

walleyeboater · #6 February 12th, 2008, 07:18 PM

Not a thing. It was shifting normal, I was out w/ the wife, it started to rain, I took off, came to an idle zone tried to throttle down, but it would not shift out of gear. Luckily, this happened before I got to the ramp, or else I probably would've crashed the docks. As it is, I judge my stops, turn it off, and use the trolling motor. Pretty much a one shot chance at the trailer.

noelm · #7 February 12th, 2008, 07:53 PM

sounds like you are looking for a major drama, when it really sounds like a broken gear control cable, but you will need a "helper" to move the throttle control while you watch the Motor end, the cable is an easy replacement.

walleyeboater · #8 February 13th, 2008, 02:13 PM

Do I need a service manual to do this?

tashasdaddy · #9 February 13th, 2008, 02:17 PM

i've change many without a manual. depends on how mechanical you are. and not much on this is covered in the manual. you first need to determine what's wrong. the motor, the cable, the shifter. trouble shoot.

ezeke · #10 February 13th, 2008, 03:09 PM

The most likely thing is that your cable has slipped in the casing guide at the engine end. The pictures below show the typical cables and the casing guide which holds the steel cable in place. Click the thumbnails to enlarge:

walleyeboater · #11 February 13th, 2008, 03:24 PM

Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming. Got to wait for a little warmer weather, before I give it a shot. High today around 20-25f - Indianapolis

ezeke · #12 February 13th, 2008, 03:26 PM

Several models of both side mount and binnacle controls had neutral warm up knobs or buttons that allowed the throttle arm to be advanced without shifting. See Remote Copntrols P/N 175495, 127334 and 175497.

If the knobs or buttons were pushed while the throttle was already advanced and the engine in gear, in some cases the control would not recover the shift function when returned to the neutral position.

walleyeboater · #13 March 16th, 2008, 04:46 PM

Found the problem. Have pics do not know how to post. The rev cable, that is fastened oposite of the for cable, at the throttle/shift lever, the locking mechanism which holds the brass shealth to the "shifter body", has come off. Not sure if it is broke, but there are 3 pieces that hold it altogether. Steve

walleyeboater · #14 March 16th, 2008, 05:18 PM

what is method for posting pics? thanks

walleyeboater · #15 March 16th, 2008, 06:36 PM

Correction, the shift box might be jammed which caused the locking cap to fail on the outer shift cable. Hope I do not have to buy the whole cable. Going to take the shift box apart and see if I can clean it.

walleyeboater · #16 March 18th, 2008, 04:21 PM

Upon further review, and some professional advice, I have found that the shifter cable is broke. Just bought both cables today. The three piece locking cap on casing that holds cable casing to the shifter plate is molded to the casing, and thus must be replaced. Might as well do both while it is torn apart. Thanks for the help.

walleyeboater · #17 March 24th, 2008, 10:33 AM

Replaced both cables, shift and throttle, and seems to work fine w/ earmuffs on.

wrestall · #18 August 14th, 2009, 11:26 PM

I have the same symptoms.My 48 envenrude I think the year is 1982 is stuck in forward drive. I checked all the linkage and accuator arm going into the casing and all is ok. the arm pivots and goes through the motions of shifting but for some reason the motor isn't transfering it to the gears. Do you know whats going on or what might be a good starting point to figure what's wrong? The boat works fine in the forward gear and goes up to top speed, just can't put it in nutural or reverse. Nothing was done to it mechanically before this happened just did it while out on the lake. Examined all the cabels and all works as advertized.

Thanks guys,
William
swampov99@yahoo.com