DTS Shift issues - Can't reverse Starboard Engine

[Boater71]

When I launched the boat, I had a flag stuck between the outdrives and the starboard engine was stuck up. Shut everything down and restarted and all started working well. Since this, i have had intermittent issues when I shift the starboard into reverse, it does not shift. Last night, i can shift forward, back to neutral but not in reverse. How do I troubleshoot this? Any tips and tricks? Is there something stuck that i need to adjust?

Thank you advance for your help!

 

[Lazy Daze]

It sounds like the shift cable and/or the receiving cable in the drive got damaged. You'll need to remove the drive to inspect/replace.

 

[Boater71]

This is DTS, how do I troubleshoot before taking the boat out of the water as it is a big task! If the cable to the drive was damaged, why would it shift to Forward and Nuetral with no errors?

 

[Espos4]

Open the hatch and watch the shift actuator while someone operates the shifters.

Maybe a wire harness connect got caught in the way or sometimes the bolts come loose on the actuator.

 

[Lazy Daze]

This is DTS, how do I troubleshoot before taking the boat out of the water as it is a big task! If the cable to the drive was damaged, why would it shift to Forward and Nuetral with no errors?

Yup - I saw that in your signature. There is still a regular cable going down to the drive.

 

[Brite Idea]

Did you test the forward/neutral/reverse operation before launching? If your drives were removed for servicing during the offseason it's possible that the shift cable isn't properly connected to the drive. When I did my drive service this winter I missed the connector and when I tested it I got one shift and the drive was stuck in forward. I had to pull the drive to correct it and no problems since. Usually if a shift actuator is acting up it blasts an alarm on the VV. You can disconnect the shift cable and manually shift it to see if it goes into all gears but be sure to have the engine running because you never shift a Bravo drive with the engine off.

 

[Boater71]

Hi all, thank you for your contributions. I opened the hatch as suggested, compared both Starboard and port, and both shifted fine. videos are below. Although, i still got the error on the VesselView (only on the VV403 NOT on the VVmobile app), then the error disappeared. We decided to go out last night, enjoyed the evening, reluctantly used the skyhook, and no issues and no errors. We went out this morning and I was cruising at 3700 rpm for a good 20 minutes each way. plus, used skyhood, no issues. As I was approaching the dock, I shifted into reserve (DTS one lever), and I got the Starboard Shift gear error. I tried to shift starboard on its own, same issue again, wont shift and error stays on.

 

[Counseallor]

I had a very similar issue with my 350 hp 6.2L Bravo III. Reverse was intermittent and would sometimes catch only at higher rpm. Made docking an adventure!

After troubleshooting the cable, it turned out to be the clutch. Only 160 hours on it. If the cable actuator moves back and forth when you shift into forward and reverse, signs point to the clutch.

 

[Boater71]

I had a very similar issue with my 350 hp 6.2L Bravo III. Reverse was intermittent and would sometimes catch only at higher rpm. Made docking an adventure!

After troubleshooting the cable, it turned out to be the clutch. Only 160 hours on it. If the cable actuator moves back and forth when you shift into forward and reverse, signs point to the clutch.

Thank you for the quick response, where is the clutch? I looked at the parts manual and cant find it (I'm not mechanical more on the electrical side). What you are describing sounds exactly what I'm facing.

 

[scoflaw]

The clutch is in the upper gear case and relatively easy to replace with simple tools and a vise

 

[boatrboy]

Fwiw- My friends 34 formula just went thru this. When I helped him pull the drives off I saw they had crushed the rectangular o-ring when the dealer previously installed the drive and water was evident in the shift cable. I advised him to change it out but he didn’t have the patience and just cleaned the area and lubed the cable and had the boat launched. His Dts faulted as yours getting into his slip.

To troubleshoot he disengaged the cable from the actuator and saw the actuator moved both directions fine. With the cable installed he saw the “lag” going into reverse but smooth going into forward. (Of course the boat was running on all tests)

He had boat pulled and the dealer found the lower cable binding and replaced. His problem was fixed.

 

[Counseallor]

Thank you for the quick response, where is the clutch? I looked at the parts manual and cant find it (I'm not mechanical more on the electrical side). What you are describing sounds exactly what I'm facing.

 

[Counseallor]

The clutch cone is in the upper portion of the outdrive. I would score it a 7 out of 10 in difficulty to replace. The big negative (as opposed to a shift cable issue) is that you’ve got to haul the boat to repair it. That’s $800 just to haul at my marina.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The clutch cone is in the upper portion of the outdrive. I would score it a 7 out of 10 in difficulty to replace. The big negative (as opposed to a shift cable issue) is that you’ve got to haul the boat to repair it. That’s $800 just to haul at my marina.

Boat has to be hauled to replace the lower shift cable, too.

And, again, based on something being stuck in the outdrive when in the tilted position... focus attention there (lower cable/shift receiving connector).

 

[Counseallor]

Good point. Haul is needed to replace the shift cable. I tried to adjust it (which can be done in the water) and when that didn't solve the problem, I hauled it thinking the cable was stretched. In my case, not so lucky and the clutch was shot.

 

[Counseallor]

Thank you for the quick response, where is the clutch? I looked at the parts manual and cant find it (I'm not mechanical more on the electrical side). What you are describing sounds exactly what I'm facing.

 

[Counseallor]

Curious how it worked out.

 

[Boater71]

I spoke to a couple of mechanics, and both suggested something electric. One of the suggestions was to replace the electric switch to eliminate one more thing. It's only $50 so I will try that today.

With July 4th weekend and everyone is busy, I'm planning on this next week.

 

[Counseallor]

Good luck!

 

[Espos4]

I spoke to a couple of mechanics, and both suggested something electric. One of the suggestions was to replace the electric switch to eliminate one more thing. It's only $50 so I will try that today.

With July 4th weekend and everyone is busy, I'm planning on this next week.

There is a neutral switch that tells the computer when the shifter is moved out of neutral. It’s a 2 wire switch with the little white button that pops out when you shift to forward or reverse.

Usually when that goes bad, you can still shift into gear but rpm will be limited to 1200 and there will be a constant beeping.