69 55HP evinrude has reverse but no forwards

Hi i need help with a 69 model 55hp evinrude.... When you select reverse it goes into reverse the hit nuetrel and it is still in reverse, then hit forward and the motor goes into neutrel??? hit neutrel and its still in neutrel?? hit reverse and it goes into reverse.. we have pulled the lower leg off where the solenoids go do how can we test them to se if they are working?

You can test the 2 solenoids , what is the ohm reading on them from the blue to the gearcase and the green to the gearcase ?-----Run a jumper wire from the gearcase to the motor.Then when the control is in nuetral ( key on ) do you get a little spark when you touch the green wires together at the knife connecter ? Control set for reverse do you get a little spark on both the green and the blue ?________ Is this something that happened all of a sudden or gradually got worse.------Any sign of water in the oil ?-----Was the control box or shift switch changed out ?------Hydro-electric shift is fantastic stuff, simple and reliable too.