90 HP Force No reverse or neutral

I have a 90 HP force in my 92 bayliner. Last time on the lake I noticed I have only forward gear. No matter what position I shift it to, the prop is only in engaged in forward. The linkages appear to be good compared to another motor I am comparing it to. Any ideas?? Thanks

Re: 90 HP Force No reverse or neutral

Pop the cowling off, remove throttle and shift cables from hold down clamp. Try to move the shift linkage by hand, then spin the prop(forward gear will spin one way easily with an auidible click, neutral will spin both ways freely with no click, reverse will spin opposite direction from forward with auidible click) If you can find forward, neutral and reverse, then all you need to adjust is the cable. Set the linkage in the middle, ensure prop is in neutral, place shifter in neutral, spin the black barrel nut untill there is slight tension on the shift linkage when placed in the holder. If you cant find neutral or reverse, try moving the shift linkage at the top of the lower unit(it should be a metal gear), it is hard to move by hand. Try with a pair of pliers, if it moves into and out of gears(check prop by spinning), then there is a loose or broken connection on the linkage somewhere. If you still cant find neutral or reverse, then somthing is wrong with the clutch dog, or the connection to it. And that is inside the lower unit wich is a pita to open and reseal. Good luck and post what you find.

Mike

Re: 90 HP Force No reverse or neutral

Hi - I have a Force 50 with a similar problem - it won't go into reverse or neutral. This was working fine just recently. I did what you said above:

Try to move the shift linkage by hand, then spin the prop(forward gear will spin one way easily with an auidible click,
neutral will spin both ways freely with no click, reverse will spin opposite direction from forward with auidible click)

But when I do this in forward or reverse or neutral the prop does not do this and is always engaged to the engine. I know this because when I move the prop in either direction the fly wheel at the top of the engine moves - and it does not matter whether I am in forward/reverse/neutral. I see the shift rod going into the lower unit moving when I manually move the linkage as you described. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Michael