UNITIZED TRANSAXLE
General Information
Page 16-2 2000 FE290 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement
16
Shifter Lever
A shifter lever, connected to a shifter arm on the unitized transaxle, is used to change the gears to one of
three shift positions: FORWARD (F), NEUTRAL (N), or REVERSE (R) (Figure 16-1, Page 16-2). The vehicle
should come to a complete stop before changing FORWARD or REVERSE direction.
Neutral Lockout
During normal vehicle operation, the neutral lockout feature prevents the engine from running when the For-
word/Reverse handle is in the NEUTRAL position. If a vehicle is started in FORWARD or REVERSE and
then shifted to NEUTRAL, the engine will stop running.
For the convenience of the trained technician, there is a neutral lockout cam (yellow knob) located on the
back of the Forward/Reverse shifter, inside the engine compartment. If the neutral lockout cam is pulled out
approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) and then rotated one-half turn until it snaps into place, the cam will be in the
SERVICE position.
When the cam is in the SERVICE position, it will allow the technician to run the engine in NEUTRAL for cer-
tain maintenance procedures. With the cam in this position, the vehicle will not operate if the Forward/
Reverse handle is placed in either the FORWARD or REVERSE position.
To put the cam back into the OPERATE position, pull the cam out approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) and rotate
it one-half turn until it snaps into place. See Neutral Lockout Circuit, Section 11, Page 11-10 .
Governor System
The governor system is a flyweight type, and regulates vehicle ground speed. It is mounted inside the unit-
ized transaxle and is driven by transaxle gears. Because the governor is mounted inside the transaxle, it is
protected from abuse and damage common to externally mounted governor systems. If any of the governor
linkages are removed in order to service other components, readjustment of the governor linkage is required.
See Governor Cable Installation and Adjustment, Section 14, Page 14-11.
Unitized Transaxle Service
The unitized transaxle is extremely durable and should require very little service under normal operating con-
ditions. The only service required on the unitized transaxle is to maintain proper lubricant level. See Periodic
Lubrication Schedule, Section 10. Under normal operating conditions, adjustment to the system should
not be required.
Figure 16-1 Shifter Positions
Figure 16-2 Lubricant Level
TOP VIEW
SHIFTER
LEVER
SHIFTER
ARM
F N R
DRAIN
PLUG
C l u b C a r
Lubricant
should be level
with bottom of
level indicator hole.