Stuck in Neutral

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D

Danica

Sooo the boat is stuck in NEUTRAL! AHHHh this is our first sailboat so we;re very very new! Here's the problem... there are 2 cables coming from the throttle... one cable that goes to the gas and one that goes to the gear box. The gear box one isn't moving at all! They are attached to seperate plates at the throttle, are they supposed to be connected somehow? When we take it all apart and pull the gearbox cable, the lever moves... but the plate that it's attached to doesn't! GRRRRRRR H E L P please!!!!
 
May 5, 2006
1,140
Knutson K-35 Yawl Bellingham
Sounds like there's corrosion

on the gear plate or it's mounted incorrectly. They should move independent of each other.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Interlock?

Does your throttle/shifter have an interlock that you need to lift to get it from neutral to forward/reverse? This is can be just below the knob at the top of the handle?
 

BarryL

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May 21, 2004
1,065
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 Mt. Sinai, NY
what kind of engine and transmission?

Hello, What kind of engine? What kind of transmission (if you know)? What engine controls and / or steering pedestal? Good luck, Barry
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,184
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Photo?

Can you post a photo? In view of the boat's age, I'm guessing a Morse or Edson control, but it could be another. Edson Marine does have a website that may be helpful if they have an exploded view somewhere in their customer service area. I wish I could be of more help. Rick D.
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Shift Box

It seems more than likely thay you have a problem in the shift box itself. (Where the cables mount) These things are not too complex, and if you are mechanically inclined can probably fix it yourself.
 
Jun 1, 2007
2
Buccaneer 24 Jacksonville
Shift Mode????

If you have a single lever control, you might be in the trottle only mode for warming up the engine. Some control handles pull out to disengage the shift and some models have a knob to pull out, try ousing in on the base of the shift handle or if you have a knob push it in to engage the shift.
 
Dec 6, 2006
130
Lancer 29 Kemah Texas
Shifter Demons..

Try finding a Police Supply Buisiness..buy some Police Pepper Spray and bring back to the boat.Spray the Shifter Box and all surronding areas thoroughly.Make sure to have a large broom handy (like the one Mom used to chase you around the house with when you were a Teen) so that when the Lil'Demons come running out you can smack them lil'suckers.If this fails to solve the problem,your likely due for a new Shift Box...check your local Marine Store ( West Marine,defender etc..) for one thats good for your application.Fair Winds & good Luck>>> David
 
Aug 9, 2005
772
Hunter 28.5 Palm Coast, FL
remove the cable from the gear box lever...

and if the transmission lever shifts OK. Then you'll know that the cable is corroded. I had the same problem some time back.
 
Jul 11, 2004
160
Macgregor 25 Saint Cloud Florida, City Marina
You didn't specify the type of transmission ...

If it is an inboard powerplant and your gear selection is Forward Neutral Reverse, then the symptoms indicate that this is a Borg Warner Velvet Drive transmission. Look at the linkage connection. It is located along the midsection area of the transmission backbone. This is an area that runs along a raised ridge at the top of the transmission. If this is indeed a Velvet Drive, it is known for the valve body to stick due to metal chips lodging against the spool assembly. This in turns jams the spool in its bore and since the throttle linkage plate is attached to this spool via a nut and lock washer, you will be at the mercy of these metal chips. What to do: Diameterically opposite of the selector plate/linkage, you will find a triangle shaped cover plate. Grab a 3/8 wrench and remove all 3 bolts on the triangle cover. Next, grab a 1/2 inch wrench and remove the shift linkage plate. The detent ball will drop out of place and land on the floor. No problem to reinstall. Lay the linkage plate and detent ball aside and then gently tap the shift spool out of the transmission housing. Once removed, smooth the case bore with sand paper. Then with snap ring pliers remove the snap ring from the shift spool and its retainer plug. Slide out the spool valve from the hollow interior of the shift spool. Remove the coil spring as well. Buff the outer spool with fine sand paper until it will fit the transmission bore and rotate without resistance. Next clean the spool in gasoline or mineral spirits and let dry. Do not use a rag to dry these parts as they will leave behind rag lint! Use compressed air or allow it to dry naturally in sunlight. Next polish the spool bore and spool valve together using comet cleanser as a lapping compound. Dip both parts in cool water as a lubricant while sprinkling comet cleanser lightly over spool valve. Gently seat valve into spool bore and work the parts back and forth to refinish factory valve action. Work valve back and forth in bore until it has a smooth action about it. Then rinse well in water and allow to dry completely. Once dry, the spool should fall into bore and seat itself under it own weight! If not, re-lap the part as before using cleanser and water. Once the dry fit passed the valve drop test, then refit the spool bore with spring and spool valve. Re-install the retaining plate and snap ring. Re-install valve assembly into transmission case bore and secure with triangle plate and three screws. Reattach shift select plate and detent ball. These transmissions are a piece of cake to rebuild. More often all that is needed is a thirty dollar paper and rubber kit to overhaul. Kits are available at Ford Truck dealerships and the service parts counter. The name once again is Velvet Drive by Borg Warner. Front pumps on these transmissions have an arrow embossed on them at the 12 o clock position. Make note of this when removing the 4 bolts holding this pump, because rotating this pump 180 degrees will change the pump rotation to the opposite direction! Other than this ... rebuilding this transmission only require "memory" and basic hand tools. If you can remember how you dissassembled it, reassembling it back (replacing seals) as you go is all it takes to be successful. Beats paying a couple thousand bucks for a rebuild transmission. Good luck Tom
 
F

Fred

Great instructions Clown Pilot!

If it is a Velvet Drive, check the oil before you do anything else. If the VD is low on oil it won't shift into gear. Then disconnect the cable and see if it shifts at the lever on the gear box. If it still won't shift, follow thaose excellent instructions.
 
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