Johnson control won't shift to reverse

[brettule]

I've got a 1978 85hp Johnson outboard with the single lever remote control shift box. The warmup is a dedicated lever while the shifter has the lockout in neutral which you can ilift up to engage forwards or reverse. Today I shifted the throttle all the way fully forwards but as I pulled it back to centre the mechanisim stopped. It's just shy of top centre so the lockout pin won't drop and lock. I can still go full forwards but it stops just before centre and won't go any further or into reverse.

I pulled the unit down, greased it all, and tested as I went. I assumed the detent bearing got jammed or something and tested it was all ok as I ressembled it. It worked fine right up until the final cover went on then I pushed forwards into gear then it locked again as I was almost top centre lockout.

Tomorrow I plan to plull it down again slowly and see if I can work out which piece is the problem but can anyone offer any thoughts? The cables are disconnected from the engine so I know the problem isn't on the engine side.

 

[danoutbard]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

Had the same problem and replace this piece

 

[brettule]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

Where can I buy it online?

 

[mark1961]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

Where can I buy it online?

That part (shift lever assembly) is NLA......do you have "power pilot" controls or the later style?

 

[brettule]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

I have the older mechanical johnson single lever remote control. Which looks like this:


I pulled it down and the teeth are worn on the plastic shift lever which is slipping off the cam:


The part which I need replacing looks like this:


Can anyone point me to the best place I can get one of these? Prefereably in Australia but if not I will wait for snail mail from abroad.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

I would open your controls up to see what's going on in there before you start searching for parts.

I just opened up mine today(the controls are new to me), and found a bunch of dirt and 3 wasp nests! I lubed everything up and it's smooth as silk now. I also tested the horn while I was in there.

 

[brettule]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

See my post just above yours mate, I edited mine just then. I pulled it all down, lubed it up and still had problems. Turns out the bottom tooth in my picture is worn down just enough so that when I'm trying to return the throttle control to the centre the shif lever slips off the cam locking up up the mechanism.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

Gotcha....you have the "power pilot" controls.....the shift lever assembly is listed as available for those.....#0386542.

If you want to source one here a dealer would probably have to get one from BRP in Sydney anyway.....online options would be crowley marine (US) or boats dot net (US/Florida)......

 

[brettule]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

Can I call BRP in Sydney direct and order the part from them? What do you advise? I'd rather get the part this week than wait for US shipping.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

You could try but BRP will not deal with you direct only via a dealer.....i would ring the nearest one you to there and see what they can do.....

 

[brettule]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

Cheers Mark, that was a brilliant idea. I found a number of dealers in Melbourne and called them all. Unlike my previous random calls to local marine shops not one of them said "oh no that's end of life, can't get those parts anymore". I picked out the cheapest and they've ordered the part from BRP in Sydney, should be down here by tomorrow.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Johnson control won't shift to reverse

No problem mate, glad you got it sorted.....i know what you mean about "those" marine shops, got some of them here too.....you know your in trouble when you tell em your motor is more than 20 years old and all you get is a strange look. :facepalm: