Transmission won't shift to forward position

[pharcyde]

Hi everyone. I can't seem to get the transmission to shift from neutral to forward when at the helm. However, I am able to nudge it to forward when I'm at the engine block. Any ideas what may be the problem? Shifting from reverse to neutral and back to reverse isn't a problem. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Michael

 

[DocParty]

Not knowing the age of the boat and cables, I'd think the cable is the problem. Could be kinked, frayed, or the actual lever may have some burr or out of alignment that could be the result of a loose screw/bolt.
Try taking the cable off the shift lever and operating it by had (a set of pliers) If it won't budge, it's most likely the cable. If it does work fine, look at your shift lever.
Doc

 

[mortyd]

spraying the engine liks with WD40 did the trick for me.

 

[pharcyde]

My boat is a 1984 Catalina 30. I'll definitely look at the cables and spray with WD40. Thanks for the reply guys! Will keep you posted.

Michael

 

[rbmcintire]

If the cable's moving ok, try disconnecting it at the trans. Move the cockpit shifter to Forward, then go down and move the trans. arm to Forward. Reconnect the cable in this configuration and see if that has adjusted it to function correctly.

Rob

 

[Bob S]

Rob is correct, I had a hard time getting into reverse. There was a delay or hesitation in engaging. It was remedied by adjusting the linkage. It's quite precise as a little off in either direction can effect the function.

 

[pharcyde]

Hi all,

I wanted to give everyone an update. I first tried mortyd's suggestion in spraying WD40. I noticed the lever on the transmission didn't stick when manually switching from neutral to forward. I immediately went up to the cockpit and tried to switch from neutral to forward position. Still no go. So I proceeded to Rob's suggestion. That cotter pin was a bitch to remove. Note, I positioned it at neutral first before removing the cotter pin. I then moved gear shifter in the forward position and manually moved the transmission arm in the forward position (towards the cockpit). I had to manually work the trans arm and the screw on the cable to attach the cable. This took quite a bit of time and a lot of patience. After re installing the cable on the transmission arm, I tested it at the cockpit and it worked!! I inserted a new cotter pin, took the boat out and motored around just to test it. Works well and am able to feel the hesitation between each gear.

Thanks everyone for making this task very simple and affordable.

-Michael

 

[Brad Woodward]

Thanks for the update pharcyde. It is always good to get some feedback on these fixes to see if they worked. I had the same problem about shifting into forward but for a different reason. When I bought my 86 it only had simrad water speed and depth up to 200'. Long story short I needed to upgrade to a chart plotter, radar, and auto pilot. The problem I found was the mounting for the old instruments was under the engine controls and was 3/4' thick. I had to replace that with one only .3' which lowered the engine controls just less than .3 inches. (Don't hold me to the math.) Before I changed things out the transmission lever was hitting the stanchion guard and of course after it was hitting it before the transmission was completely engaged. I could shift just fine at the trans but from the pulpit not so good. I found there is some adjustment available at the cable ends but of course with mine they were already maxed out to the shortest adj. I also found that it was a fixed length cable (of course it has to be) and there wasn't any way to mess with it. Only backing up from the pulpit and running down to the trans to go into forward wasn't an option for me. The only solution that worked for me was to loosen the nut securing the lever on the trans and moving it about .25 in. it took a few times to get it right but it worked. I am open to other solutions if they are available but this one worked for me.

 

[rbmcintire]

Glad to have helped, pharcyde. There's a "pay it forward" kind of vibe around here, where everybody knows they've benefitted from the topics others have posted. I just had a similar situation to yours, so it was good timing.

Rob

 

[pharcyde]

Brad, your situation sounds complicated and way over my head. I'm a total newbie when it comes to the mechanics of a sailboat. Learning as I go along. Sounds like what you did is similar to what I had to do.

Rob, I completely understand. As I gain more knowledge, I'll definitely try and help those in need. Thank you again!!

Michael

 

[Cruisin30MKIII]

Pharcyde.....we had a similar problem last year. Turns out our shift cable was shot out and needed to be replaced..since we were sailing Long Island sound...and we were in Newport RI. Newport boatyard did the repair. They pointed out that the guide for the cable that led to then shift arm from where it comes out next to the stufing box, is at a steep angle and should be realigned to give it a straighter throw. Also, our shift handle needed to be bent slightly to give us a clean throw without hitting the binnacle. Good luck !