1987 Johnson/Evinrude CU Outboards 35A thru 55 Service Manual, Page 277Get this manual
4After engine has warmed up, move fast idle lever to the "RUN" (latched) positionYou must move fast idle lever down or control handle cannot be moved!Note! Fast idle lever must be in "RUN" or latched position before shiftingRaising the fast idle lever locks the control handle in "Neutral" to prevent accidental shifting during warm-upIf the control handle is forced against the lock, control assembly can be damagedObserve "ForwardReverse" indicators on top of control handleEnsure "Forward" arrow is pointing toward the front of the boatKnob may have been installed backwards5Move control handle quickly toward "Forward" or "Reverse" position, as desiredApproximately 32 of handle travel is required to completely shift into gear i the shift detents in "Forward" or "Reverse Alternately
6Increase speed by advancing control lever handle past
shift unit into "Forward" and "Reverse" gear to ensure that gear mode of gearcase matches the indicated gear mode of the control handle
Control Handle Friction Test