Throttle lever stuck

[Deb2021]

Went to head out this morning (solo), slipped the lines and hopped on the boat. Tried to shift into reverse as the boat is slipping away from the dock and it wouldn’t shift into forward or reverse. Diverted disaster by using thrusters and boat hook and getting tied up again.
While the boat was still running, I managed to check throttle in idle and was able to move the lever forward and back but popping out of idle I was not able to engage either forward or reverse. I have since removed the casing, hoping to see something obvious but when you don’t know what you’re looking for it’s hard to tell what is obvious.
Any thoughts, references, YouTube’s that you can suggest? Any help is appreciated.
Deb

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Given the year of your boat, I’m assuming that your engine is a Yanmar 4BY2-150. If so, your problem is almost certainly that your shift cable is crimped at the very end of the cable at the transmission shift lever in the engine compartment where the cable exits the cable sheath. The shift cable is very exposed in the engine compartment as it runs in the open from the starboard side of the engine compartment to the transmission.

I have a Yanmar-powered R27 and my shift cable was laid over by a careless technician and crimped where I described. The symptoms were identical to those you are experiencing. The crimp could not be repaired and a new shift cable installation was required. A one-foot longer cable was installed and the cable was routed to minimize open exposure.

I wish I had better news. Installing a new shift cable is not an easy task.

 

[bob daily]

One way to troubleshoot your problem is to disconnect the cable from the gear box. This would let you know if the problem is with the transmission or the cable forward. Best of luck. Bob

 

[Deb2021]

Thank you for your replies. Yes, forgot that detail - Yanmar 4BY2-150. I’ve since gotten the manuals and will be heading back to the boat today for more troubleshooting. Was hoping for an easy fix but based on your replies that’s not likely. Thanks again for your insights.
Deb

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Here’s what may be your problem. These photos were taken to show the before and after orientation of the orange strap, but they just happened to capture when my boat’s shift cable shift cable was damaged by the technician. The boat was on its trailer inside a shop. I did not discover the damage until I attempted to launch the boat.

The photo below shows the shift cable BEFORE the technician laid it over. The cable enters the picture at upper left corner and runs down. See how it loops over runs almost vertically to the transmission shift lever.





This was taken the next day after the technician laid on the cable. It no longer is in a loop orientation; it runs at a 45° angle. One can see where it is crimped at the transmission.





This photo shows how the new shift cable was routed to minimize exposure to bending. It was run over on top of the holding tank and exits from on top of the holding tank next to the macerator pump behind the transmission. That keeps the cable’s open exposure to a minimum.

 

[Deb2021]

Thanks for the pics, CaspersCruiser! After I got the service manual from our R25/27 Facebook administrator, the first thing I did was check my cable - long enough, no crimping and no loose connections. The issue was the shift lever - stuck in position. Lubrication and some gentle words of encouragement 😀 and she is back to regular duty. I’m still learning about the little mechanisms that are tucked away and need attention. Quite the learning journey!
Thanks, again…Deb

 

[bob daily]

Deb, Was that the shift lever on the transmission or the shifter at the helm?

 

[Deb2021]

Deb, Was that the shift lever on the transmission or the shifter at the helm?

Turned out to be the shift lever on the transmission. Once I got that freed up the shifter at the helm moved properly.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Deb, Was that the shift lever on the transmission or the shifter at the helm?

Turned out to be the shift lever on the transmission. Once I got that freed up the shifter at the helm moved properly.

I’m delighted to hear of the positive outcome. That’s the first I’ve heard of that issue with shifting. I’ll bookmark this thread.