starts in gear, won't shift into neutral

[jbrintnell]

1968 55 hp evinrude model 55873-R serial J06738. I resolved the hard start in water, but it still starts in any gear and does not shift into neutral. pressing buttons on gear switch hear sound in Foward gear. Hear different sound when switching back to neutral, and hear no sound switching into reverse, but reverse does work. any ideas. I just changed fluid recently bought boat, was sitting for 1 1/2 years. I suspect neutral safety switch, but don't know if that would explain no neutral.

 

[jbrintnell]

Re: starts in gear, won't shift into neutral

one more thing..prior 2 changing oil, wouldn't shift into reverse, and popped into neutral at high rpms with switch in neutral. Didn't pop into neutral from gear when switch was in other positions

 

[JB]

Re: starts in gear, won't shift into neutral

Yo, jb. I'm not familiar with that system. . .yet. Found a Johnson Service Manual at a garage sale yesterday that covers both electric and hydro-electric shift systems. I'll read up on them and get back to you.<br /><br />JB

 

[jbrintnell]

Re: starts in gear, won't shift into neutral

okay JB, thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[JB]

Re: starts in gear, won't shift into neutral

Hi. See the info corm gives you on your other post. To add to what he tells you: The two, stacked solenoids in the lower end operate a hydraulic valve to shift the gears into Neutral (one solenoid) or Reverse (the other solenoid). If neither is energized, or the engine isn't running the pump (also in the gearcase) it will be in Forward gear. The idea of this arrangement is to leave you in Forward if the system fails so you can get home.<br /><br />When you changed the oil you solved some symptoms of low oil, but probably put in 90W oil. Get the 75W oil specific to the hydro-electric gearcase and change it again.<br /><br />The light green wire from your controller supplies power to the Neutral solenoid. There is no Neutral safety switch because of the info corm gave you about it starting "in gear" normally. If you get 12Volts on this wire when your controller is in Neutral you may have a bad Neutral solenoid in the gearcase or a wiring problem going to the solenoid. I think your pump and hydraulic valve are working because it will shift into Reverse.<br /><br />If you can't get 12v on the green wire then I suspect your switch. Try switching it with the light blue (Reverse) wire and see if the Reverse button will shift it into Neutral. If so, you have a bad Neutral switch.<br /><br />Let us know what you find.<br />JB

 

[jbrintnell]

Re: starts in gear, won't shift into neutral

okay. Thanks..you are right that I put 90 weight oil in. will try that first, then check voltage. did take it on water today despite problems...what a blast....