Have been having issues with control box. Has been hard to go into reverse, now won't go into forward and won't start. Took off linkage at motor for lower unit and can shift into both gears easily. Hooked up spark tester to plug and no indication of spark. Motor spins. This year doesn't have a kill switch that grounds out the motor; when connected to the switch the lanyard will turn the key off. Motor will run without lanyard in place. But it does have a neutral switch that won't let it start if not in neutral. But that switch usually won't let it turn over. It will turn over but never fires. Anyway, anybody know how to fix these control boxes?

My guess is that the run portion of you key is not working. The start is spinning the starter but it's not getting the message it should be running and is getting no spark. It's pretty easy to test with a voltmeter.

The exact same thing happened to me years back. It turned out my wires had corroded between the key and my engine.

It could also be a number of potential issues in the electrical system on your motor. There are trouble shooting protocols online. Let me know if you want some help.

I was suspecting the ignition switch because it was getting touchy. Barely touch it and the motor would die. More worried about the shifting issue. Can't put in either gear. The fuse on the motor is good. Also can hear aerator come on and tilt and trim works. All electrical except fire to engine works.

My wiring went bad in my control box one year. I replaced the wiring with a piece made to not be incorporated into a control box. The next year the shifting mechanism in the control box broke. I ended up replacing the control box with an aftermarket for about $100. You've probably never noticed this on my boat because it fits right in with everything else that's been rigged.

You just need to take it apart and see what is going on. Be careful on disassembly because there are usually some pins in there that have to stay in certain spots. Have some grease handy for reassembly. I've been there before. Let me know if you need help.

it does sound like 2 issues, shift cables and electrical, it looks like you knew the ign switch was going bad, the shift cables, they could have come apart inside the shift box damaging wiring inside, whatever the case, you will need to open up the shifter

Update. This morning took the control box off the boat. Heard the dreaded sound of the two nuts falling into the backside of boat where I can't reach. The nut holding the high idle lever bracket on was loose. Very loose. Tightened the nut and now the control goes into forward and reverse better than it ever has. Tried to start and have spark again. Idled and started fine. Now that everything works, how do I get the control box back on? The nuts are behind the side of the boat that I can't reach, much less see. And even if I get them out, how to hold them while I get the screws started? Thinking of cutting an access hole in the side, putting the control box back on and getting a plug button to fill the hole. Any better ideas?

Got it fixed!