need help bad!!

godons

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Dec 11, 2005
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i everyone im new to here and im from austraila, i have a 1973 50 hp johnson and it is stuck in forward, i have already changed the oil in it and i did put the correct oil in it, it is one of those electonic gearboxes<br /><br />HELP ME PLEASE
 

gatorred

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Nov 9, 2005
Messages
318
Re: need help bad!!

look at the wireing in the shaft it ground's it self to run in gear all the time they melt to gather in side the case of the motor or the controlbox or look for manual unit I am in usa so no help with parts
 

godons

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Re: need help bad!!

i dont under stand what ur saying, i dont know nothing about boat engines, r u talking about the wires from the engine down to the solinoid??
 

OBJ

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Dec 27, 2002
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10,161
Re: need help bad!!

Welcome to the forums shano!<br /><br />First, I'll assume the gearbox stays in gear all the time weather the engine is running or not.....that about right? These engines would default to forward in case the power supply failed or a solenoid would fail.<br /><br />You can check the power supply to the shift wires without the engine running. You would need an volt meter to measure DC voltage.<br /><br />Here's the basic set:<br /><br />In neutral, you need 12v to the "Green" wire. <br />In reverse, you need 12v to both wires, the "Green" one and the "Blue" one. <br />In forward, there should be no voltage to either wire. (The spring loaded shifter dog forces the unit into forward gear) <br /><br />I would disconnect the knife connectors at the engine pan and test the leads from the control box first....this would either rule out or pinpoint the problem to the control box.<br /><br />If the control box is good, the problem will lie in the lower unit or leads.
 

lark2004

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jul 12, 2004
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1,080
Re: need help bad!!

yes, he's talking about the green and blue wires that go to the gear shift solenoid. in forward gear, you should have 0 volts on both wires. 12 volts on green for neutral, and 12 volts on both green and blue for reverse.<br /><br />What can happen somtimes is that the insulation on the wires gets melted off or worn off and the wires short out. <br /><br />On the other hand, the problem may be at the controls. The switches can get dirty and not close properly. This can prevent any power getting to the solenoid as well.<br /><br />You will need to do some trouble shooting to work out what is going on. Do you have a multimeter? If not, you might need to get one.<br /><br />A factory manual really helps too, but availability in Australia leaves a bit to be desired.
 

godons

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Dec 11, 2005
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Re: need help bad!!

so i will contect it from the positive on the battery to the green wire and start it and if it stays in neutral its not the solinoid.<br /><br />IF it stays in neutral what do i do then
 

Dunaruna

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May 2, 2003
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6,027
Re: need help bad!!

Get a multimeter, then re-read OBJs' post. he has described the tests that you need to do. Maybe someone can draw a schematic for you so you have a troubleshotting 'tree'.
 

godons

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Dec 11, 2005
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Re: need help bad!!

can someone tell me what the knife connectors are????
 

godons

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Dec 11, 2005
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Re: need help bad!!

the other day when i took the leg of and had a look at the solinoid there is like a steel pipe thing that goes through the solinoid and also a housing that protects it, do u need to line the the steel thing with the hole on the bottom, because it lookes like the sleve has broken away off the hole so i had to line it up and push it in
 

Solittle

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Apr 28, 2002
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Re: need help bad!!

shano - Do yourself a favor - have a marine technician look at it. If you know nothing about boat engines getting a pro is your best bet.
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
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Jan 24, 2002
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4,698
Re: need help bad!!

Originally posted by shano678:<br /> ... i have a 1973 50 hp johnson and it is stuck in forward, i have already changed the oil in it and i did put the correct oil in it, it is one of those electonic gearboxes<br />
Give us the model number as there was NO electric hydraulic shift in 1973. You have an earlier engine or someone cobbled parts together.
 

lark2004

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jul 12, 2004
Messages
1,080
Re: need help bad!!

I don't want offend you seahorse, but the BRP parts lists DO show the hydro-electric gearcase under the 1973 50hp engines.<br /><br />I agree, we need a model number to be 100% sure of what we are dealing with. <br /><br />I also agree with SoLittle, A marine mechanic is likly to be the best option here.
 

godons

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Re: need help bad!!

thanks for all your help everyone, ended up being the wiring harness was rooted, $320 later its fixed
 
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