1999 - 50 hp Johnson outboard

[Ghost54t]

The motor runs great and the shifter lever moves to forward and reverse. The prop will only engage in reverse. Any ideas?

 

[racerone]

Is the shift rod going to the lower unit moving ?

 

[Ghost54t]

Is the shift rod going to the lower unit moving ?

Yes, it appears to.

 

[racerone]

Remove lower unit.---------------Check shift rod height.------------Try shifting the lower unit.------------When did this problem show up ?-

 

[Ghost54t]

We were out all day without problems. On the way back, I backed off the throttle and the engine revved up. I put it in neutral, then tried to put it back in gear. Nothing happened. I put it in reverse and it engaged. We continued home in reverse. Pulled it out of the water and checked shift rod linkage. When I put it in reverse, by hand the prop locks in tight. When I put it in forward, it acts like it misses the gear and the prop spins freely.

 

[racerone]

Drained the oil and looked for metal bits?---------Those gears are not considered robust.

 

[Ghost54t]

Drained the oil and looked for metal bits?---------Those gears are not considered robust.

Thanks, I'll take it apart next weekend while at the lake. Thanks again

 

[joereeves]

Before you go tearing into that lower unit..... disconnect the shift cable at the engine, then while spinning the propeller with your foot to align the shifter dog lobes with the gear lobes.... shift the engine directly with the engine shift linkages themselves.

If the lower unit shifts properly with the engine shift linkage, the problem is most likely with the control unit. It's best to determine where the problem lies first.