Shift/reverse lever binding- Advice, please.

[JimCate]

I have a 2004 M with the Tohatsu 50hp TLDI (2-stroke). The motor has been very reliable, starting instantly and shifting easily. Recently, however, I notice that it seems to bind or "lock up" in the neutral position such that it is difficult to shift into forward, and particularly difficult to shift into reverse. Once in either forward or reverse, the prop is engaged, and it is fairly easy to move the throttle lever to adjust engine power. (The problem arose after several months of non-use in which the boat was resting in the slip, with motor out of the water. Also, Hurricane Ike came through our area during this period, although I didn't notice any damage to the boat from the storm other than some water that collected in the well in front of the motor.) My dealer suggested that I should lubricate the movable components within the steering pedestal (after removing the plastic sidewall). I did this, and it helped a little, but the shifting mechanism is still binding. - I suspect that the motor or one of the control cables to the motor needs cleaning and/or lubricating, but I don't know which cable or motor component to check or how to get to the problem area.

Any suggestions or advice concerning this problem will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim Cate

[Currie]

Hi Jim,

Besides lubricating, check the entire length of the cables for kinks/bends. Once for me, (after adding a new quick-connect linkage), the cable got bound on the steering bar under the cockpit. I had left a little too much of the cable pulled out into the transom. Of course, it bound on a hard turn as I was approaching my slip, making me freak a little and crank on it harder than I should have. I found the bend in the throttle cable after noticing it acted like you mention above. I very carefuly straightened the wire inside by hand. It's not 100% - but close.

Just a thought, Good luck!

~Bob

[JimCate]

Hi Jim,

Besides lubricating, check the entire length of the cables for kinks/bends. Once for me, (after adding a new quick-connect linkage), the cable got bound on the steering bar under the cockpit. I had left a little too much of the cable pulled out into the transom. Of course, it bound on a hard turn as I was approaching my slip, making me freak a little and crank on it harder than I should have. I found the bend in the throttle cable after noticing it acted like you mention above. I very carefuly straightened the wire inside by hand. It's not 100% - but close.

Just a thought, Good luck!

~Bob

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I have a 2004 M with the Tohatsu 50hp

Thanks for the suggestions. I was at the boat today and checked all the cables, including those in the boat. I didn't find any obvious binding problems. The shift mechanism seems to be somewhat improved after my lubrication of the shifting mechanism, but it still isn't what it should be. - Apparently, there are two red cables and two black cables going to the motor, although I don't know which is which, or how they should be maintained.

Jim

[John McDonough]

The two black cables are probably the Electric wiring and the fuel.

The two red cables are probably the Throttle and F-n-R shifter.

Take the cover off the motor. move the console throttle handle and you will see the cables inside the motor controlling the forward-Nuetral-Reverse linkage, and as you increase the throttle you will see the other cable controlling your carburator or fuel injectors. I dont know how mechanically inclined you are, but try disconnecting the shifter cable inside the motor and check movement of the cable. If the cable is still hard to shift, you may have to replace or lube it. If cable is EZ, then you will have to check your linkage in the motor.

There was a post here a few months ago. DVD shop manuals for only $10.00. I bought one for my Honda.

[opie]

Previous suggestions right on the money. In my case, last summer, when I removed the "sticky" and "hard to move" throttle cable" I found that repeated tilting of the engine and the binding of the cable had caused it to fray and break. A trip with the old cable to WM got me a new one for about $60? and I was back running in 2 hours. You will have to disconnect the cable at the helm and at the engine. Not a big deal. There is a small spacer in the helm throttle box that you have to keep your eye on as it wants to fall out. Snaking the old out and new cable in requires on-your-back time in the aft berth.

[JimCate]

The two black cables are probably the Electric wiring and the fuel.

The two red cables are probably the Throttle and F-n-R shifter.

Take the cover off the motor. move the console throttle handle and you will see the cables inside the motor controlling the forward-Nuetral-Reverse linkage, and as you increase the throttle you will see the other cable controlling your carburator or fuel injectors. I dont know how mechanically inclined you are, but try disconnecting the shifter cable inside the motor and check movement of the cable. If the cable is still hard to shift, you may have to replace or lube it. If cable is EZ, then you will have to check your linkage in the motor.

There was a post here a few months ago. DVD shop manuals for only $10.00. I bought one for my Honda.

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I would assume that I should do all this while the boat is safely tied up in its slip. - Seriously, I think I should probably get some professional help before I start removing and replacing cables, etc.

Thanks for the information.
Jim

[John McDonough]

The two black cables are probably the Electric wiring and the fuel.

The two red cables are probably the Throttle and F-n-R shifter.

Take the cover off the motor. move the console throttle handle and you will see the cables inside

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I would assume that I should do all this while the boat is safely tied up in its slip. - Seriously, I think I should probably get some professional help before I start removing and replacing cables, etc.

Thanks for the information.
Jim

Sitting on the trailer would be the EZiest. definitly wouldnt want to be drifting on the water with the Engine off and parts disassembled, unless practicing for a Disaster.

If you dont feel confident, definetly call a mechanic. The last thing you need is to be out motoring and the cable fails and you cant shift. Probably be OK until you want to enter the dock. Also, most motors must be in Nuetral to start. If your cable is stuck in F or R, Your Electic start is interlocked for safety. (you wouldnt want to start the motor in gear with someone next to the prop)

If this should happen, You will have to remove the motor cover and manually place the linkage in N, start the motor and manually put the linkage in F. It may be a good Idea to be there when the Mehanic is working and know how to work the linkage.

Everyone should know this. Rare, but it happens that the motor wont start because the linkage is stuck in F or R.

There has also been numerous postz here about steering cable problems and failure. Thatz even more fun, especially when there is a storm coming.