Just put the motor on a stand, in neutral can you spin the prop freely? Keep spinning, then shift into forward, will the prop stop? Back to neutral, then into reverse, will it stop again?
In N the prop spun freely BUT after doing that it stopped shifting into R and F. I'm hoping this is a adjustment problem and not broken parts because as great as the trolling motor works I would like to use the outboard to get myself across the lake much faster and get fishing.
I found a nice write up walking me through removing the power head to access the linkage (actually looks pretty easy to do) but nothing detailing exactly what I should do to adjust the linkage or determine the issue.
I don't need to pull the PH to adjust the shift linkage? I need to do something, having the motor push my at the dock in N isn't good lol, even if it was nice and slow.
I'll go give that a try I'm sure it will free the shifter back up to go between the gears but not sure it would do anything to resolve the problem.
So I just went out and toyed with it. I actually made a video that will help a lot it just takes a bit to get it on photobucket then I will post it. Basically I can do this:
N - spins free
F - locks up
N- spins free
R - locks up
every other time I go through this when I get to the last part where I go from N to R it will not shift into R. I have jiggle the prop as I do it and get it to go into R and then repeat that series normally a few more times. Sometimes instead of it being R that won't go in it will be F.
thats completely normal. the clutch dog has to be aligned with the notches in the gear set before either fw or rev will engage. by moving the prop you are aligning it.
Ok so it's functioning normally. How am I supposed to prevent what happened yesterday and/or be sure that I'm actually in N when I need to be? I'm all about safe operation and growing up with lots of outboards I never saw one start and drive in N
jmo, but you need to run the motor in a 45 gallon drum, and cycle it through fnr a bunch of times. you should be able to feel when the shift rod snaps into the dentents, and get a feel of how it shifts.
I have done that, literally just before taking the boat out. In N when at idle the water bubbles and churns as if the prop is turning. When you rev the motor high (still in N) the water turbulates a little more but the motor never tries to move other then if left alone it will naturally turn and stay to the one side. The moment at low idle that I shift into F or R the difference is instant and as it should be.
The amount of water displacement at N seems odd to me but the motor didn't seem to try and go anywhere. That is why I was so shocked on the lake when it fired up and kicked us immediatly towards the dock.
Tomorrow I have a free schedule, I will remove the motor from the boat and back into the drum and I will take video for you. I appreciate all the help.
I've seen the prop turning when in neutral as well, but it's so slow you could count the rpm. I believe it's an effect similar to a torque converter with the pinion gear providing enough fluid pressure to spin whichever gear face is closest at the time. I've only noticed this on the lower hp models. I doubt more than a twig would be necessary to prevent the prop from turning as the torque would be really minor, and once the prop was stopped it may not resume turning. You can confirm or condemn this while it's in the barrel.
Today in the barrel i was able to confirm it's functioning properly, no need for a video. I guess the load of the boat is just enough to the light side that the motor at rest will still cause it to move some.
