Evinrude Selectric ?

[Freestone]

My father in law has a late 60's 14' Sabre Craft. It has an Evinrude lark 50HP outboard on it. The throttle and shift controls are made by Evinrude and it's called a Selectric. The problem he's having is that it won't shift out of forward. He can't hear anything engaging or disengaging at all. He brought over today so I could at least try to figure it out. I took the covers off the controls and put a test light to it to see if it might be a bad switch. I was thinking that since the switch had two wires on it that one side would be hot on each switch and when the shifting button is depressed that both sides would be hot. I ended up getting it to shift once in awhile so it is a random problem.I never got consistent power to any side of the switches.

I'm thinking he should put a new switch assembly on it but I'm not sure it will take care of the problem. Does anybody have any experience with the workings of the Selectric settup?

[tbone5587]

I have a '72 evinrude with the similar setup on the shifter. Although I have no problems with mine (yet), I learned that it is very common. I read while doing some research that a lot of people just wire in new switches and use the existing cabling for throttle only. Luckily I haven't had to go through it as of yet. Just google evinrude electric shift, and you should be able to find quite a bit.

[lil daddy]

Freestone,I belive that has 2 selonids in the lower unit.1 will shift to forword and the other is for nutreul.sound like it could be a problem down there.or one other possability is were the wireing harness comes out of the motor and runs up to the select lever.when the motor turns there is a spot wher the wires bend right there may be a broken wire.hope that helps.

[Freestone]

I'll look into those possibilities. After searching on the net last night I didn't find alot of positive comments on this settup. Thanks

[TONGA]

that is probably a later model electric shift,,when they fail they default to forward so you can get home.
Check your lube in the lower if it gets contaminated it will not shift and you have to use the lube that is made for the electric lowers.