1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

Blake0912

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
313
I just picked up a 1986 Johnson 9.9, when I was picking it up I ran it and it shifted gears. Now that I got it back to the house I tried to shift gears while the motor was not running and it wont go into forward just reverse. Is this normal because the engine is not running, like some kind of safety to make sure its in neutral ?
 

dwco5051

Commander
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
2,459
Re: 1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

Sounds like the gears won't mesh. Try turning the prop by hand a bit while trying to shift.

If they do I don't think there is a problem.
 

mark1961

Ensign
Joined
Apr 30, 2007
Messages
940
Re: 1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

Yep, they shift much easier when running......provided that continues its all you need to be concerned about.
 

Blake0912

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
313
Re: 1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

Thanks for the replies , that's what I figured I just get nervouse when I first buy a motor and couldn't fire it up to try since it was late.
 

the machinist

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 7, 2002
Messages
711
Re: 1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

The cluthch dogs will not engage UNLESS aligned. SO as you have noticed, unless the prop shaft is aligned with the driveshaft the gears will not engage (the transmission is in the lower unit gearbox) . If you have to shift without it running, pulling the rope starter a tad while applying pressure on the shifting lever, can move the driveshaft just enough to allow these dogs to engage. As said, while running it is no problem then,
 

Blake0912

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
313
Re: 1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

Thank you that makes sense now. Also I was wondering the prop free spins while running in neutral while on the muffs. Is this normal for this small motors , I know on my larger outboards the prop won't free spin at all while running.
 

OptsyEagle

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
1,362
Re: 1986 Johnson 9.9 Shift Problem

Thank you that makes sense now. Also I was wondering the prop free spins while running in neutral while on the muffs. Is this normal for this small motors , I know on my larger outboards the prop won't free spin at all while running.

Yes. It is normal on the 9.9Hp.
 
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