1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

[yanks21]

13' 1970 MFG Carefree w/1969 Johnson 55ESL69
I have forward and neutral, mechanical shift, but no reverse. Shift linkage seems to move ok at the motor, but no reverse. Is there an adjustment? If so, how do I do it?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

I think in 1969 the 55hp was electric shift.
do you have a shifter on the side of the engine?

 

[yanks21]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

Shift lever is on the bulkhead, next to the wheel. but cable runs aft to the motor, and a mechanical linkage moves the throttle and a large "bar" on the right side of the motor head....I don't see any wires associated with it.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

Look on the side of the engine towards the rear and you should see two wires, 1 green and 1 blue, those are your shift wires. Disconnect both wires and with the key on check the voltage on the wires.
Without looking it up, when in neutral 1 wire will have voltage and in reverse both wires will have voltage. In forward neither wire will have voltage.

 

[yanks21]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

I will look it @ it this evening. Will it be forward or aft of the power pack box?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

Don't know for sure, just look for two wires going down into the exhaust housing, 1 blue and 1 green.

 

[yanks21]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

Will do! I'll let you know.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

If it has mechanical shift, it isn't a 1969 55hp. Time to start over.

 

[yanks21]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

Ok, got the proper voltages as described. Geen in neutral , Both in reverse and none in forward. Now what?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

If you have the proper voltage at the wires at the lower unit, that means the shift switch in the control box is ok.
That means that the problem is in the lower unit, pull it and check the harness that goes down the exhaust housing. If the are not broken then the problem is most likely a shift solenoid.

NOTE: Make sure the lower unit does not have any water in it and has the proper lower unit oil, type C oil.

 

[yanks21]

Re: 1969 Johnson 55 No reverse

Hey! Just wanted to update. Sorry to leave this one hanging. Turns out the wires were reversed on the harness. have to make a note that the new harness attaches to the motor White-to-green Must be a snafu on the manufacturer of the new harness,,,,