Hydro-electric shift problem

[houseboat Harry]

72 Johnson 65HP hydro-electric, I'm in the process of replacing shift switch w/ 3 way as suggested in prior posts, but in the mean time I thought I'd test the theory by jumping some wires at the shifter end. With motor running I tried jumping 12V to green...motor dies, same result for 12v to green & blue simultaneously. My partner whose watching the motor says that prop moves a little before dieing, (I'm imagining like a car stalling, if you release the clutch too quickly). I haven't been able to confirm if the last mechanic put the right 'C' oil in (but he seems very compitent). Are there other wires that must also be energized prior to energizing the blue and green? Another thing is that on the starboard side of the motor is a linkage that when moved forward engages prop as forward gear(I haven't attempted this while running motor, I'm just turning flywheel)and when I move linkage backwards-prop is engaged for reverse. Do I have to return this to forward before hoping to get proper results (which I have and still motor dies when shift wires are jumped). I await enlightenment.....my manual's on order!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Hydro-electric shift problem

The linkage on the right side of the engine is the spark advance, and throttle linkage, It has nothing to do with shifting a hydro- electric. You may have something binding in the gearcase if it stalls the motor when shifting. You may want to check for this.

 

[Walker]

Re: Hydro-electric shift problem

Is it possible that your motor doesn't have hydro-electric lower unit. Maybe you're wrong on the year model or the motor has been retro fitted to mechanical shift somehow. Your explanation of the linkage on the starboard side doesn't add up. How many control cables come out of your control box and how many control cables go to your engine?