1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

Nathien

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Aug 29, 2003
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I got a 1969 55hp johnson outboard motor hydro electric drive but it will not come out of foward. Can not get it into neutral or reverse. was wonderin what i should do and what would cause it to happen foward works fine. thanks
 

rickdb1boat

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Jan 23, 2002
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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

Nathien <br /><br />Forward is the "Normal" operating gear when the selonoids are not energized. You should have a blue and a green wire coming from the lower unit. Apply 12 Volts to either of these wires and one or the other will give you neutral or reverse.
 

The Marine Doctor

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Jul 25, 2003
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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

If by applying 12 volts to these wires you get the gears...you will either need a new shifter switch or there is a broken wire.<br /><br />TMD
 

seahorse5

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Jan 24, 2002
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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

The hydro-electric shift on the 3 cylinder 55hp models are "spring loaded" into forward gear with no current going to the solenoids. To shift, the green wire has to be energized for neutral and for reverse, BOTH the green and the blue wire need voltage. The gearcase has an internal gyrotor hydraulic pump that has to build up enough pressure to shift into neutral, and even more pressure for reverse. Worn pump parts, plugged screen, or leaking shift piston seal, etc. can affect shifting.
 

Nathien

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Aug 29, 2003
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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

I have tested both the blue and the green wire and the shifter you can hear clicking in the lower case. what dose this mean and how do you know if you are in reverse or neutral with out starting it or do you have to start it? thanks for help. the model number is 55esl69a
 

rickdb1boat

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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

It must be running.
 

rickdb1boat

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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

Perhaps this previous post will clear things up a bit:<br /><br />If you turn on the ignition key, go back to the wiring and find the two wires that go down "under"/"below" the block. There is a rubber cover that protects the "knife" connector for each wire junction. Just expose the bare connection but don't disconnect the leads. Don't let them touch ANYTHING. With a voltmeter or 12 volt test light, you should have no voltage at either lead. (the lower unit is spring loaded into forward). That's with the control box in forward, If you put the control box into neutral, you should have roughly 12 volts on the green wire only. Once the engine cranks/starts, the activated solenoid will divert oil pressure generated in the oil pump in the gearcase. This will move the spring loaded plunger aft and into neutral. When you move the control box into reverse, both wires are "hot" and the other solenoid also diverts oil pressure and moves the plunger further aft and the clutch into reverse. You must only use OMC Premium Blend oil in this gearcase. Just let it drain and refill with fresh. <br />Now, there is a resistance reading for each solenoid if you want to check. Remove each knife connect and you should have 4.5 to 6 ohms for each solenoid. If you don't have the voltages at the green and blue wires, you have a wiring problem back up to the control box. If you do have the voltages, then you have internal problems.... You can also take a seperate 12 jumper(don't let it touch anything) and activate each wire (green for neutral and green AND blue for reverse as you crank or run the motor. Oh, yea!! Don't let it touch ground!!! BTW, the volt checks with the "key on" checks will not physically put the prop into neutral or reverse no, oil pressure.!!!! You are just checking for proper voltages. Hope this helps
 

Dirtscooter

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Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

That's with the control box in forward, If you put the control box into neutral, you should have roughly 12 volts on the green wire only. Once the engine cranks/starts, the activated solenoid will divert oil pressure generated in the oil pump in the gearcase. This will move the spring loaded plunger aft and into neutral. When you move the control box into reverse, both wires are "hot" and the other solenoid also diverts oil pressure and moves the plunger further aft and the clutch into reverse. You must only use OMC Premium Blend oil in this gearcase. Just let it drain and refill with fresh.

Ok Assuming the solenoids are good.....

What are the odds that dirty, contaminated or just wrong type or viscosity of oil is the problem; and that a thorough flush and changing to the correct oil are going to put it back to work?
 

rockyrude

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Sep 10, 2007
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1,120
Re: 1969 johnson outboard motor wont go into neutral or reverse

I'm figuring he got his problem fixed by now. Shouting like this is downright rude.
 
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