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1988 15 hp johnson shifting issue

R

RTripp

Member
Stopped to fish, turned motor off. Went to leave, motor would not go into forward. Neutral and reverse yes, forward no. Took off top and spun the flywheel a little until I was able to shift into forward. It worked, can you tell me why? I need to do something about this as I don't want to have to take the lid off and spin flywheel every time I want to go forward. What do I need to do?
 
I dont understand

If the motor is running the flywheel will be spinning

If the motor is not running then it might not engage gear because the dog clutch might not allow it

My owners manual says do not attempt to shift into forward or reverse when the motor is not running
 
I turned the motor off and took off lid and was looking for something that would make it work. I found nothing. Pulled out iphone and google and what I saw was to manually make the flywheel turn. I did not have to turn it very far maybe 1/4 turn and I was able to shift into forward. I started it in forward and headed back to dock 5 miles away. I was so glad I didn't have to go 5 miles in reverse.

When I got home I tried shifting into forward and it was stuck. I again manually turned the flywheel about 1/4 turn and it was able to go into forward.
 
RTripp said:
I turned the motor off and took off lid and was looking for something that would make it work. I found nothing. Pulled out iphone and google and what I saw was to manually make the flywheel turn. I did not have to turn it very far maybe 1/4 turn and I was able to shift into forward. I started it in forward and headed back to dock 5 miles away. I was so glad I didn't have to go 5 miles in reverse.

When I got home I tried shifting into forward and it was stuck. I again manually turned the flywheel about 1/4 turn and it was able to go into forward.
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So you are saying that it wont engage forward when the engine is running but, provided you turn the flywheel a bit, you can put it in gear and then start it ?


Electric start or rope start ?
 
It is pull start.
I started the motor and tried to put it in forward but it would not let me pull the lever into the forward position. I turned it off, turned the flywheel a little bit and then the lever was able to come forward into the forward gear position. I then started the motor in forward and went to dock.
 
It's strange that it wouldn't shift into forward while it is running, but you can shift it into forward while it's off. The rotation that helps it shift is automatically happening while it's running. Is it possible you had the throttle set too high when you tried to shift into forward?
 
Swarlos said:
It's strange that it wouldn't shift into forward while it is running, but you can shift it into forward while it's off. The rotation that helps it shift is automatically happening while it's running. Is it possible you had the throttle set too high when you tried to shift into forward?
Click to expand...


The RPM's were low when I tried to shift.
When I did turn the flywheel there came a spot in the turn in which it would not shift into reverse or forward.

On another forum someone said 'Why turn the flywheel manually, just pull on the rope a little as that will turn the flywheel until it reaches the point where it will shift.'

I responded by saying I had the lid off while inspecting so I just turned it manually. But, he did have a good idea. He then said FIX IT. But, didn't say how. I'm going to ask him HOW?

I have taken the lower end off and replaced impeller before but I don't know anything about gears.
 
RTripp said:
The RPM's were low when I tried to shift.
When I did turn the flywheel there came a spot in the turn in which it would not shift into reverse or forward.

On another forum someone said 'Why turn the flywheel manually, just pull on the rope a little as that will turn the flywheel until it reaches the point where it will shift.'

I responded by saying I had the lid off while inspecting so I just turned it manually. But, he did have a good idea. He then said FIX IT. But, didn't say how. I'm going to ask him HOW?

I have taken the lower end off and replaced impeller before but I don't know anything about gears.
Click to expand...

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So, I just went to the motor and it shifted into f-n-r. I gently pulled the rope, just slightly, and it would shift into r and n, but not forward. I gently/slightly pulled the rope (probably not enough for a quarter turn of the flywheel and it would shift into f-n-r
 
RTripp said:
The RPM's were low when I tried to shift.
When I did turn the flywheel there came a spot in the turn in which it would not shift into reverse or forward.

On another forum someone said 'Why turn the flywheel manually, just pull on the rope a little as that will turn the flywheel until it reaches the point where it will shift.'

I responded by saying I had the lid off while inspecting so I just turned it manually. But, he did have a good idea. He then said FIX IT. But, didn't say how. I'm going to ask him HOW?

I have taken the lower end off and replaced impeller before but I don't know anything about gears.
Click to expand...

RTripp said:
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So, I just went to the motor and it shifted into f-n-r. I gently pulled the rope, just slightly, and it would shift into r and n, but not forward. I gently/slightly pulled the rope (probably not enough for a quarter turn of the flywheel and it would shift into f-n-r
Click to expand...


Finding a spot where you cannot engage gear when the engine is not running is normal. It's a characteristic of the dog clutch. You might find a point where it wont engage forward, or where it wont engage reverse or where it wont engage either but it is all perfectly normal.

There is no reason at the moment to suspect any problem with the gears.

There is an interlock between the gear shift and something. Not sure what but your owners manual should tell you about it.

I think it must be an interlock with the throttle to prevent you engaging gear when the throttle is too far open. I think it must be this which is not operating correctly
 
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vics said:
Finding a spot where you cannot engage gear when the engine is not running is normal. It's a characteristic of the dog clutch. You might find a point where it wont engage forward, or where it wont engage reverse or where it wont engage either but it is all perfectly normal.

There is no reason at the moment to suspect any problem with the gears.

There is an interlock between the gear shift and something. Not sure what but your owners manual should tell you about it.

I think it must be an interlock with the throttle to prevent you engaging gear when the throttle is too far open. I think it must be this which is not operating correctly
Click to expand...
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That's an encouraging answer. I sure hope you are right.
 
She's in my yard now in a garbage can of water. After reading a message from another forum asking if it will start in N and then shift in F. I went out and cranked her up in N. While running she shifted into all R-N-F. I turned it off and tried shifting. She shifted just fine. Then I slightly pulled on rope barely turning flywheel (maybe and inch or two) and she wouldn't shift into F. She would shift into N and R. I again slightly pulled on rope and all gears worked great.
 
RTripp said:
She's in my yard now in a garbage can of water. After reading a message from another forum asking if it will start in N and then shift in F. I went out and cranked her up in N. While running she shifted into all R-N-F. I turned it off and tried shifting. She shifted just fine. Then I slightly pulled on rope barely turning flywheel (maybe and inch or two) and she wouldn't shift into F. She would shift into N and R. I again slightly pulled on rope and all gears worked great.
Click to expand...

This all sound s perfectly normal.

You should not be trying to engage either forward or reverse if the engine is not running. My owners manual make that perfectly clear.


If it is necessary to engage a gear with it not running, perhaps while working on the engine, you do so while slowly turning either the flywheel or the propeller.

You should get someone to show you how a dog clutch works then perhaps you will understand.

Also note that when you engage gear you must do with the revs turned right down and also do it with a quick snap action. If you engage a dog clutch gently you will knock the corners off the dogs ears and then eventually you will have it jumping out of gear.
 
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