DEC binnacle not working pulling the powerhead

[Siddhi69]

Hello all,
I have a 2011 F250XCA with the DEC binnacle and Command link plus. I had to replace my neutral sensor under the powerhead cause when I put the foot back on I broke the sensor. I guess I did not have the splines lined up properly and it pushed the shift rod up and popped the sensor (expensive mistake!! be careful when putting the foot on). Well now that I have everything back together. It does not shift properly or rev. Here is the strange part. It will start fine and if I put it in forward it will engage the motor and put it in forward just fine. But when I move it back to neutral it never moves to neutral. It also will not rev up by the con*****er. But if I turn the motor off and manually move the shifter to neutral, then restart the motor I can shift to reverse one time and then it stays there.

So I know the shifter is aligned right but for some reason it seems like my DEC binnacle has lost its communication to my motor. If I have the motor off and watch it when I move from neutral to forward and reverse I see the shifter actuator trying to move very slowly then it stops. So I pulled the pin and shifted it by hand, it is very easy. So I know there is no binding. Plus it does go into gear without any problem the one time.

I remember reading somewhere there was so sort of reset you can do. Something like turn the key on and move from forward to reverse so many times and it resets it, but for the life of me I cannot find the procedure. Does anyone have any ideas?

Everything worked great until I had to change my water pump and now a simple job has been a PITA. Any help would be wonderful.
Thanks,
-Barry

[Siddhi69]

Ok so I have the YDS software (first time using it) and I reset my remote controls. Now it seems to work better. At least now it will rev. But now it only shifts in one direction like it should. Meaning if I shift it in reverse I can shift it back to neutral and back to reverse just fine. It will also rev in reverse. But as soon as I shift it in forward it hangs and will not shift back to neutral. I have to turn off the motor and shift manually by pushing the actuator over back to neutral. It will not rev in forward either.

Could the gear shifter be off by a tooth when I put the foot on and when it is going in forward maybe it is not registering properly cause it is not all the way in or too far? Just curious.

Any help would be great.
Thanks,
-Barry

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Ok so I have the YDS software (first time using it) and I reset my remote controls. Now it seems to work better. At least now it will rev. But now it only shifts in one direction like it should. Meaning if I shift it in reverse I can shift it back to neutral and back to reverse just fine. It will also rev in reverse. But as soon as I shift it in forward it hangs and will not shift back to neutral. I have to turn off the motor and shift manually by pushing the actuator over back to neutral. It will not rev in forward either.

Could the gear shifter be off by a tooth when I put the foot on and when it is going in forward maybe it is not registering properly cause it is not all the way in or too far? Just curious.

Any help would be great.
Thanks,
-Barry

Was the engine and shifter both in neutral when removed? Did you manually move either before re-assembly? If so, that is very likely your issue (but that LU shifter shaft is usually NOT touched)

Rodbolt or others may be able to help further (I'm not familiar with the fly by wire system)

[Siddhi69]

Yes it got moved when I have to change the sensor. That is why I was wondering if that was the issue. Do you know what the best procedure is if it is all moved? I turned both the LU shaft and the shifter shaft to one side as far as I could thinking that would be the best option, but that is also the direction of the gear (forward) that is giving me problems. I am not sure what the best way to get it right would be.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Again I'm not familiar with the "fly by wire" setup BUT the install I would think would be the same.

Lower the LU so you have access to the shifter shaft stub. You may feel an indent when shifting (have another body rotate the DRIVE((LONG)) SHAFT clockwise(looking down at it).

Rotate the shifter shaft till you feel it go into forward, then the same for reverse.

If there is a detent, it should be right in the middle of both "movements" of the shifter shaft.

Now the LU is in neutral. Make sure the helm control is set for NEUTRAL.

Install the LU and you should be good to go...

Bottom line, only a few of the small engines require the LU to be in gear when re-installing.
The bigger engines; NEUTRAL (again both the LU and the helm control)

[rodbolt17]

drop the case. turn the key on.
insure the shift went to the N position and you have blue lights on the helm. install the case with the case in N.
from there test the shift motor voltage.
ALWAYS have someone rotating the prop shaft when shifting at key on engine off.

[Siddhi69]

I have a feeling now that the sensor could be bad. I got the shifter correct now, but the system is acting funny. I put it on the computer and it says the sensor is out of specifications.

Now, when I turn on the key it automatically goes to forward gear. I have reset the remote controls and it still goes to forward and then eventually it lights up the amber light on the control and then everything stops responding.

I know the LU shaft is right now, because when the first time I turned it on everything worked as it should. Turned on the key stayed in neutral and then I was able to shift through the gears and rev. I thought is was fixed. But after I turned off the key and then tried again. It started doing the above symptom. And now I cannot get it to do anything else.

So I am thinking the sensor was bad. The company is sending me a new one so I will try again. I will update once I change it out.
One question though. I will have to pull the power head again, is it possible that the base gasket is reusable? It does not look to be as it is a metal gasket that seems to be like a compression style fit. This is where it seals for the oil sump, so if I need to buy a new gasket I will. But if I can save that money that would be great. Thoughts?
Thanks for the help!

[pstephens46]

Hopefully Yamaha is sending you that part at no charge?

Only a couple people on here have any real experience with these "fly by wire" systems as they are new technology. Most of us have older cable controls.

Rodbolt and Boscoe may be able to guide you. Hopefully someone at Yamaha can help too. Especially if they will supply free parts. Be patient!

[pstephens46]

drop the case. turn the key on.
insure the shift went to the N position and you have blue lights on the helm. install the case with the case in N.
from there test the shift motor voltage.
ALWAYS have someone rotating the prop shaft when shifting at key on engine off.

Would the shift motor be the actuator?

[Siddhi69]

Hey Rodbolt17,
I was curious your thought on reusing that base gasket between the power head and the LU? I am pretty sure I should use a new one, but it never hurts to ask. I just got the new sensor in today so I am looking to get this changed out.
Thanks,
-Barry

[Siddhi69]

Bump.. I would really appreciate an answer from someone in the know. I am planning on pulling the power head this weekend and just needed some guidance. Thanks

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Does the shop manual say to replace it? If so, it's already been crushed and needs replacement.

IMO, as I wouldn't want to pull the power head a third time, just replace it..

[rodbolt17]

that gasket is NOT reusable.
but the shift position sensor is most likely not your issue.
it is way to easy to simply test the sensor voltage and the shift motor voltage.

[Siddhi69]

That is what I thought about the gasket. No problems I will change it.

Rodbolt17 - Where can I find the values for the shift sensor and the shift motor? I do not have a manual and have been having a hard time finding the right one for it. Mine is a F250XCA but finding something that says XCA is tough. I see CA a lot, but not XCA. Not sure if there is a difference.

[boscoe99]

That is what I thought about the gasket. No problems I will change it.

Rodbolt17 - Where can I find the values for the shift sensor and the shift motor? I do not have a manual and have been having a hard time finding the right one for it. Mine is a F250XCA but finding something that says XCA is tough. I see CA a lot, but not XCA. Not sure if there is a difference.

The F250XCA is just one of a family of all but identical models. The SM covers all of the variants. So you won't find a manual just for the the F250XCA model.

Here is a link to the applicable SM. See page 1-2 for a better understanding of the F250CA variants that are covered by the one manual.

https://www.vansoutboardparts.com/se...l-digital/file