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Honda 50 stuck in reverse

D

Dune

New member
Had to make a hard shift to reverse in order to get out of someone's way.
Now the lower unit is stuck in reverse and won't come out.
I checked the linkage and it all works fine until it disappears down to the lower unit.
Disconnected at the down point and it makes all the right moves but still will not hit neutral.
I am thinking a gear box issue is in store for me.
Thanks ahead.
 
I am thinking you may have broken your plastic shift linkage at the top of the engine. It is the weakest link in the chain. I am thinking it is one of the pieces in #6 http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Honda/Outboard%20Engine/2004/BF50A4%20LRTA%20VIN%23%20BAZS-3400001%20TO%20BAZS-3499999/ENGINE%20COVER%20%2B%20LOWER%20CASE/parts.html

To help verify that thought...look just above the gear case where the shift shaft is visible. You will see a couple of nuts on the shift shaft (since it is in reverse). Watch the shift shaft while shifting. If it does not move or moves just a little, it is probably what I described above.

You can take a needlenose pliers and pry under the nuts on the shift shaft and have someone try to shift into neutral, while you pry up and wiggle the prop by hand. If it goes into neutral, then have them try to shift into forward, neutral, reverse, etc while you turn the propeller. If you do not turn the propeller and you try to force it into gear, those plastic pieces will break for sure.

All the above is especially probable, if you have a tiller steering model.

Hope that gives you some thoughts.

Mike
 
So now I have to update.
My neighbor is the one that jammed the lower unit.
Seems he wrapped a line around the prop and put it in reverse to help unwind it.
The linkage is all good deep into the lower unit gear box.
Finally got an exploded view and think that it must be something in the shifting clutch.
Time to take it to the dealer.
He is going to pay now.
 
Hope you are bigger and stronger than your neighbor.

It is probably wise taking it to the dealer.

Keep us posted.


Mike
 
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