1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

[jy118lfd]

Last fall before I winterized the boat I did all the bellows, the shift cable, and a gimbal bearing also the water hose and gear lube hose. I adjusted the cable in the fall out of the water and did not get to try shifting it till spring.
This spring I followed the factory manual and adjusted the cable to be sure.
Now when I shift into foward and reverse it works fine, but going from foward to neutral it takes longer than expected. I mean that when you put the control in neutral you have to wait a second or two before the drive comes out. It seems longer than when in reverse and you go to neutral. If you keep pulling up on the control lockout and go past neutral you can get it to come out.

The cutout switch works in both directions. I tried to adjust the cable to have more throw for foward but it does not really help.

My next thought is to replace the control cable as this is original.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

I'd sooner Think you can fix this Issue with Adjustments,.....

A forward control cable in a 1999 boat,..... Isn't very Old,... Normally Speaking.......

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

I think it is an adjustment as well, but I am no stranger to a service manual and I followed it to the word.

Is it normal for you to have to fine tune it after you have adjusted it per the manual? I did read the subnote in the manual that stated if using the commander 3000 control (what I have) You just adjust the control cable to meet the shift assist but If I do that it does not even come out of gear. I also adjusted the cable to push further out of gear until the point of not going into reverse and it still has this pause.

 

[tommays]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

When i changer my lower cable (Commander 3000 Control) even the orginal cable barrel was not in the position in the service manual

I set the new cable to the same position and then did some fine adjustment from there

If it is a littel to far in one dirrection it will not work as well and you may even here the clutch dog makeing a ticking sound in netural if its off far enough


Tommays

 

[MJ76]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

If you're adjusting it to the point where it won't go into reverse, I think you're going the wrong way. If it isn't coming out of forward gear, you need more reverse, not less. Turn the barrel so that you effectively lengthen the cable. I think this will give you what you want.

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

MJ I think you are right! I must have been adjusting it the wrong way. I will not get down to the boat until Wed. But will give it a shot.

I still cannot get past the point in the service manual that states that after all the adjustment if you use the commander 3000 remote and the shift assist does not line up with the control cable you just adjust the cable to match the shift assist???? Then why not just adjust the cable to the shift assist in the first place? Mine is adjusted this way right now but If I make the cable longer I will have to pull on the shift assist to line up the pin. Is this going to damage something in the control?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

You're talking about 2 Different Cables,.....

The Forward Control Cable from the Shifter,......
And,.....
The Lower Shift Cable.......

Adjust the Lower Shift Cable 1st,........ Then the Forward Cable to align the Switch.......

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

Manual states to adjust the lower shift cable to 6 inches center to center when in foward. Then Install it in the assembly. From there all the adjustment is in the control's cable.

Am I wrong cause I might not be reading it right. I have been known to do that before.

 

[tommays]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

In a perfect world setting it to 6" and droping it in would be fine

As i said in my case even the orginal lower cable was NOT at 6" and when i replaced it was not correct at 6"

The cable from the control must move a MIN of 2-7/8 and a MAX of 3-1/8

The lower cable adjustment is to center the travel of the shift dog between the forward and reverse gears and is not and exact thing the 6" is a starting point

Start on page 1C-33

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14c1.pdf


Note the routeing of the cable on page 1C-35 this will also cause problems


Tommays

 

[jy118lfd]

Re: 1999 Alpha gen 2 shift problem

Thanks Tommays and Bondo I will check all that and post back on Wednesday.