Evinrude 60ESL70B Stuck in Neutral

[looncommander]

This evening we never left the boat ramp because the gear shift on our 60 hp Evinrude was stuck in neutral. This has never happened before. Any ideas? Would one only look into the gear shift or could it be something with the cables running into the outboard?

 

[F_R]

Locate the electrical cable beside the powerhead that leads down to the lower unit. There are two rubber sleeve insulators on it--slide them back to reveal the connectors inside. Now check the voltage on those wires while it is running and stuck in neutral. There should be no voltage on either one. If there is, you most likely have a bad shift switch in the remote control. But if there is no voltage and it is in neutral, the trouble is in the lower unit. There is an oil pump in the nose of the gearcase. There is a piston in that oil pump, in a very close-fitting bore. Fine dirt and grit in the oil jams it up and it sticks in place (in this case, neutral position). Sorry, but the oil pump is the last part to come out when you do a complete dis-assembly. BTW, this is why regular oil changes are a must-do on that motor. It cannot stand dirty oil.​​

 

[racerone]

Agree with the above !----------Also when the motor is stopped is it in forward gear ?

 

[looncommander]

On Monday we had the motor running with the "ear muffs" water thing in place and I'm pretty sure I found the green and blue wires you were discussing in your original reply to my question. I was only able to check the green wire before the motor quit running but it did show voltage with the remote control in neutral. So, from what you said it must be the switch inside the remote control. I checked up on that part and it is in very very short supply and costs $300. I'm taking the boat to a mechanic next week for a tune-up, gear oil change, and other items. Is there another possibility of the "stuck in neutral" dilemma? I don't want to purchase a $300 switch if it is not necessary.

The photo shows the green wire I checked. After 45 years the rubber didn't peel back . . . it just split apart. Also, are these the two wires? From the lower left engine compartment.

 

[racerone]

When the motor is stopped is it in forward ???--------If not then the shift piston is stuck !!-------Answering questions will lead to the fix.-----This unit shifts to nuetral when the motor starts running and the oil pump is turning to provide pressure.------So is it in forward at home in the driveway when the motor is stopped , yes or no ?

 

[looncommander]

The unit is stuck in neutral. I'm saying this since the prop did not turn when the motor was last running. The lever is straight up and won't go into reverse.or forward. Additionally, the button for the "Warm-Up Lever Release" is not popping up like it used to do.

 

[leifferd]

Last year I had a similar problem. I drained the lower unit oil, filled it with Seafoam and ran it (out of the water) for a few minutes. Drained that and refilled with proper Type C oil and it worked fine. I think the Seafoam helped break loose the shifter dog that had gotten bound up in the neutral position - probably from being run with about 1/2 oil 1/2 water for a while.