www.iFourWinns.com

2002 240 Horizon 350 Bravo III 245 hrs.
Went for an evening cruise and after running out onto lake, could not return throttle control into neutral from forward idle position. Turned engine off and attempted to determine problem. Disconnected helm cable end on top of engine and was unable to move intermediate cable at all! Props only spin one way (forward rotation). Of course engine would not start and had to be towed in at midnight. Any suggestions (frozen cable, shift linkage or shift dog malfunction)? I already know it won't be cheap but need to get engine running before winter layup. We Love our Four
Winns. Please help.

First and foremost, welcome to our little group. I'm a Volvo guy so I can't answer your question, but I am confident you will get the right answer here. Did you check the connector on the lower unit to make sure a bolt or connector has not come loose or jammed?

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

OK I do not know Merc but go over to http://www.iboats.com and ask on the I/O forum, for sure someone will know. Also try http://www.boatered.com and http://www.thehulltruth.com. On iboats look for members Bondo and DonS they know their sterndrives.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Howdy,

Well it's not a Shift dog problem since the Bravo doesn't use "dogs" It's a cone clutch which is usually FAR easier to get into and out of gear.....

At first "look" it sounds like a simple shift cable malfunction or malfunction at the shift plate (bolted to your stbd riser/elbow)

It also may have pulled out at the drive etc... (the cable has a small aluminum "knob" at the end where it goes into the drive.

The drive has to come off to inspect. (it should come off anyway to look at the bellows etc..)

If the shift linkage inside the drive is frozen, you have much bigger problems that might require disassembly.

Are you wanting to do the inspection yourself? If so you probably need to get an OEM service manual. (#11)
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11covr5x.pdf

Go to page 1C-3.

See "Drive Unit In Gear, Will Not Shift Out Of Gear"


It will give you somewhere to start.

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Thanks Rick but the saga continues. I went down with my trailer to bring the boat back home. Disconnected the neutral start switch at the helm shifter and using a jumper wire was able to start the boat (still in forward) which allowed me to get it to the launch and trailer. While moving to the launch., the engine temp went up to about 240 degrees with a noted smell of rubber. Shut it down and paddled into the dock so it's home in my pole barn now. I now have three issues. 1. stuck in forward, 2. helm control does not move shift cable at engine (now disconnected) 3. water pump probably needs replacement. My last boat was a 1989 four winns 190 Horizon with the notorious omc cobra drive. I was able to service outdrive and adjust shifting (shift dog sound familiar). Any further thoughts would be much appreciated before i tear into the lower unit.
Thanks!