PCM Reverse issue

[SPBFAN]

Well, now my problems start I guess. I took the boat out for the first time yesterday since November. Every time I put the boat in reverse the engines dies. If you engage it very gently and very very slowly increase the throttle it will work OK but if you engage it normal it will die every time.

I have not had any time to look into the problem and wont until next weekend but my first thought is the Gas even though I put in Stabile at the end of the year last year I might have some gas starting to go bad. It is 5 months old in the take.

Any thoughts anyone. I am posting this up mostly to see if anyone has dealt with this problem yet and if so it will save me a lot of diagnostics time.

It most certainly did not have this issue when I put it away last time.

[zad0030]

Fluid levels in the transmission?????

[da.bell]

Did you have someone siphon your gas? Are you sure your gas is topped off?

[mcd]

It's probably not gas if it only does it when shifting into reverse. Checking the tranny fluid is a good idea. If you do doubt the gas, drain the gas / water seperator into a clear jar and see if there is any water in the fuel. You can also run the engine on a remote fuel tank. I use a 3 gallon outboard tank with fresh gas to bypass the boat's gas tank.

Good Luck

[SPBFAN]

Transmission fluid is full and right where it is supposed to be. I service that every year then make two or three last trips to the lake before shut down. I am really thinking it is fuel. It acts like a fuel issue. I am going to take out all the gas from the tank and use it in the cars since it is still working. Then I will refill my tank on the boat with new gas and perform and injector service/clean before my next trip to see what happens. I am pretty sure I will get it all cleaned up I was just hoping that I would not have to go to diagnostics mode if someone else dealt with the problem before.

[MoneyPity]

But why would bad gas i.e. water in gas only affect reverse?

[KonaKing]

You know the issues I had last year but im with money. Why only reverse. I would look to a reverse switch and do the injectors anyways. If I had done my injectors first last year I would have saved a lot of time and money. You have all the stuff so whats a few minutes

[dogbert]

SPBFAN, you're definitely more mechanically inclined than I, but I do wonder about gas as the issue here. If you had bad gas, you'd have similar problems going into forward and I would think the boat would not run well overall.

Let us know what you find out.

[da.bell]

I'm thinking that there isn't enough gas in the tank so when the boat jerks off the trailer, the gas moved to the front of the tank and the gas pickup within the doesn't have enough gas to suck up. Reason why I asked if you have a full tank.

[dogbert]

I'm thinking that there isn't enough gas in the tank so when the boat jerks off the trailer, the gas moved to the front of the tank and the gas pickup within the doesn't have enough gas to suck up. Reason why I asked if you have a full tank.

I think he told me he runs the gas out of it at the end of the season, so you might be right.

[shake-n-bake]

It sounds like it is a friction issue with the reverse gear that make it to hard to spin the prop and thus killing the engine. Or it is a problem with the throttle when going into reverse, doesnt increase the amount fuel to the motor to adjust for the added torque to the motor.

[JSTIII]

SPBFAN, I am going to run your symptoms by our customer service manager and see what I can find out. I will be back with you shortly.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

sounds like the clutch discs are sticking or bad neutral switch on tranny causing no spark
if it was fuel it would do it in froward

[SPBFAN]

PCM contacted me about this issue. Thanks PCM like always they step up to the plate. They are the perfect match for TIGE'. When I get home Friday I will be digging into this and will find the problem. Once I do I will post up the anwers and results. I am sure it is not a big issue and easy to fix. I Just have to find the time to dig into it for an hour or so.

[SPBFAN]

found the problem in 5 minutes

Well, I have not been home except for one day since this problem took place. So while I was there I made an effort to get out and see what might be the problem. It was a five minute diagnostics and I fixed the problem.

The shifter cables were the problem. What was happening is this:

Every time I put the boat into reverse or moved the shifter into the reverse position I was loosing complete power to the engine. I would put it back into N position forward it was fine. So I started my inspection at the shifter. Good thing. The cables were coming off the shifter and then because they were so loose they were falling against the tether switch and pushing the butt connector off the switch. I would put it into N or F position and the cables did not lean against the connector.

FIX:

repositioned and tightened the cables back up to the shifter and re-secured the but connector on the tether switch.

I must also say PCM contacted me on this right away and followed up with me to see what I had found. Great customer service to match a great product. Thanks for the follow up PCM group.