1971 50hp hydro electric outboard

[cruiser1056]

To anyone with an answer,
I have a 1971 evinrude 50 hp hydro electric shifting outboard that wont shift. I realize this motor has a fail safe forward, but I am trying to trouble shoot why its not shifting. In doing so I found the red wire on the rectifier was corroded and bare. I attempted to repair by splicing the wire, but I dont think that it worked. Could a faulty rectifier be the source of my problems, or does that do something else all together?