Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

Romad1967

Cadet
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
9
My 1978 Johnson Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral. When the engine is running in neutral, the propeller spins like it is in gear. Any ideas??
 

junior1113

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 29, 2009
Messages
763
Re: Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

make sure shift cables are moving the shift shaft this woukld be seen under the carberator did you hit any thing to beat up gears
 

Romad1967

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Mar 13, 2009
Messages
9
Re: Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

Thanks! Nope, didn't bang anything. The Command Control became hard to shift, won't go into neutral easily. Took it apart as best I could and lubed. Lubed cables. Changed lower unit lube. It was very slightly milky. After that, shifting from forward to neutral to reverse became easy. Started engine and noticed the prop was spinning slowly in neutral. Prop was free at top one-third of turn then very stiff.

I keep the boat at Lake Eufaula, Alabama. I take your advice and check the shift cables when I go there next week. Thanks again.
 

Romad1967

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Mar 13, 2009
Messages
9
Re: Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

Checked all cables and did some more lubing. Now, it will move through the shifts: forward - neutral (prop spins freely and quietly) - reverse But sticks in full reverse, can't move out of reverse. Any ideas???
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

Well, you have to disconnect the cable from the motor and see if you can hand shift the motor.

In other words, isolate the problem--controls or motor problem??
 

Romad1967

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Mar 13, 2009
Messages
9
Re: Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

Thanks F R, I did disconnect the cable, and I can push the shift lever through the gears. I thought maybe it needed a cable adjustment, but I didn't have time to work any further. The boat is at our place on Lake Eufaula, and I ran out of time.
 

Romad1967

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Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
9
Re: Seahorse propeller won't spin in neutral, acts like it is in gear?

I assume this is a control problem, but how do I adjust the cables? Should I check the command center first? I can figure most things out, but this is my first attempt at control cables.
 
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