No Neutral

[robotmark]

Hi folks, back again with my 1971 Johnson 40 hp. It’s still been running smoothly, but lately it only goes in forward or reverse. When I think I have it in neutral it’s actually in either one or the other. What should I be looking for to start diagnosing the issue?

Thanks!

 

[crosbyman]

new problem ???   drop the GC  and shift manually    if NOT OK   fix  the GC 

 

if OK  manually     fix linkage top side

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[billw]

I would pull the shift connector access cover off the port side of the exhaust housing and check for linkage slop. The object would be to move the shift handle back and forth while trying to limit the up and down travel of the shift rod connector. You would be looking for wear between items 88, 99 and 95, in the link below. A few degrees of shift handle movement would be okay but if you can move the handle, say 20 to 30 degrees, with no movement up and down of the visible shift rod, then you would have wear in the linkage under the power head. This is an easy first check, since to remove the lower unit, you’ll have to be opening up that access cover, anyway.

https://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1971&hp=40&model=40102B&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=EXHAUST+HOUSING

Long live American manufacturing!

[fleetwin]

There is also a very fine adjustment on the shift handle that helps with this condition.

[robotmark]

I’ll check the exhaust housing. This particular model has the long shaft extension, so the shift rod connector is much longer than normal. That may have something to do with it, so I’ll start there. And fleetwin, I’ll also check the shift handle adjustment as well. As soon as it stops raining I’ll give these a look.

Thanks!

[fleetwin]

There are two screws you have to loosen to readjust that fine lever adjustment.  One faces to stbd, and the other clamps the shift handle to the shift shaft.

[robotmark]

It ended up being the fine lever adjustment. There was even a section in the manual about it (doh!), so thanks for the help with that. Definitely saved me a bigger headache!

 

 

[fleetwin]

Cool, glad it worked out…

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76-j

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