2005 Ranger Z21 Comanche - Not shifting into Forward

[CigarHuntr]

Hi - I have a 2005 Ranger Z21 Comanche with a Yamaha 250hp Vmax engine. The boat shifts into Reverse and Neutral, but when I try to shift into Forward, it jumps into Forward and then right back into neutral, and there is a red blinking light on what I believe is the Shift Actuator (a silver/aluminum box with a clear plastic top that's got 2 cables and wires running into it). It was working fine, but after a long bumpy ride back home, it developed this problem. I've checked the lower case oil level and it's OK. Any ideas?Thanks - Joe.

[wmitch2]

Time to have a mechanic look at it !! Doesn't sound like an easy fix in the back yard under a shade tree !!

[CigarHuntr]

Thank you for your response, wmitch2. I corrected my description of the "shift actuator" (for lack of a more accurate part name) from being a black box, to a silver/aluminum colored bottom and clear plastic top, with two cables running into it. That's what you get for trying to see something at night! My bad.

[jc2bg]

You might want to post this issue over in the Yamaha forum, too.

[CigarHuntr]

Thanks, jc2bg. I appreciate the suggestion; will do!

[Cableman]

i had a problem like that with my 2002. a screw to the latch under the cowling vibrated loose and jammed into the linkage so it would not go into reverse.

[CigarHuntr]

Thanks, Cableman. I appreciate your comment. I will definitely check that out on my boat. Thanks again.