MajBach
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
- Messages
- 564
My 90Hp Honda broke down this weekend, (I consider a breakdown to be anything that prevents operation and requires repair in order to use). <br />Anyway, the first indication that something was wrong occurred after I had stopped to fish and the motor wouldn't start. It wouldn't crank over - nothing. Same symptoms as if you were trying to start it in gear. I ended up using the pull start, and to my surprise, the boat started moving as soon as it started. In fact, I was in gear. The control box showed no indication that there was something wrong with it. However, when I went into the neutral position, nothing happened. When I selected reverse, the boat moved forward. About half way home, I went into neutral position and the motor also went into neutral but wouldn't go back into gear. The throttle arm then got very stiff, to the point that it required more force to move than I would dare apply.<br />Obviously I was stranded at this point so I found a cove out of the wind and removed the control box access cover. I assumed this is where the problem lie but I was wrong. I then took a thorough look under the hood and found the problem. Directly under the oil fill cap, but on the bottom is the control for the gearcase. You can identify it by the lond spring tab with nylon roller that activates the engine start cut-off while in gear. The single bolt/lock washer that holds down the gear selector arm had vibrated loose .<br />It was an easy fix - good thing I carry tools with me.But you might want to check your motor before you go out next to make sure this bolt is tight.
