It's probably frozeup where the cable (Stainless Steel) goes thru the aluminum tube on the transom shield.
Disconnect the big nut on the cable end and see if just the cable will move.
If it is frozen in the tube, heat will help get it out. Then clean it all up, lube it and reinstall.
Don, thanks so very much, you hit the nail on the head. Did what you said and after removing cable end I cleaned and lubed it. Works really great.
As we say in WV........it's slicker than deer guts on a door knob, lol
P.S. read your advice on lift motor, took it apart and cleaned it like a new penny. One brush spring was stuck and dirty, she is working like a champ now.
