no forward gear

[EsteroBayJay]

Hello, My name is Jay a SWFL resdient and new to boating. My question is on a 3.0l mercruiser alpha 1 gen 2 system. First time taking out the boat today, I reverse out of the boat ramp and go to forward gear only it won't go into forward gear instead it just revs. While in throttle only, squeezing red button and moving the throttle forward should engage the drive? I know this probably covered in a owners manual but having difficult time finding one of those online. Justed wanted to rule out newb operator error before I bring to mechanic. thanks in advance!

 

[achris]

Re: no forward gear

The red 'Throttle only' button should NOT be pushed when you are trying to get into a gear (forward or reverse). The button is to stop a gear being selected so you can run the engine at above idle for warm up. Just pull the lever back to neutral, let the button 'click' out, and push the lever forward to go forward. Push it further to go faster...

Didn't the dealer/previous owner give you instruction on all this when you test drove the boat?

Owners handbook and many other publications are available directly from Merc... Just go to their website www.mercurymarine.com put in the engine serial number and you can select any publication you want... If you intend to do any maintenance yourself, may I suggest (strongly) you pick up the service manuals while you are there... Or download them from this list...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571

Chris.........

 

[Don S]

Re: no forward gear

What year is this Merc 3.0L?

 

[EsteroBayJay]

Re: no forward gear

It's a 1998.

He did give me a demonstration and instructed me to operate the boat exactly like you mentioned. It all worked then and this is why I'm shocked to see it not work now. Even when I had it on the trailer hooked up to water it would go into gear. I'll check out those links.. thank you.

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: no forward gear

Estero, I'm still confused so the guys above who really know what they are doing probably are as well....are you pushing the "red button" in when you try to select forward? If you are, then the problem is operator error. You shouldn't be pushing that button in to select any gear as Chris said earlier.

 

[Don S]

Re: no forward gear

Is this the remote control you have?

You may have a problem with the remote control itself if the throttle only button isn't working. I have a link for the manual for the remote if we can figure out which one you have. If that is not the one you have, could you post a picture of yours?

 

[EsteroBayJay]

Re: no forward gear

Yes, thats exactly it.

Okay, throttle only button is black on mine and trigger under my palm while hand is on the throttle is red... sorry for any confusion.

So throttle only is pressed, throttle goes 1/4 forward and key is turned. Engine starts and idles to warm up, throttle is moved back to center for idle and throttle only button "clicks" out. Now I want to move so, I press the red button with ring and middle fingers and move throttle forward. This is when I thought the engine and drive engage and the boat moves forward.

Also, it did go into reverse.

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: no forward gear

Ok, you're doing it correctly. Now I pass it off to the folks who really do know what they're talking about!

 

[Don S]

Re: no forward gear

Sounds like your "Throttle only" button isn't releasing when going into forward. When you put it in neutral, the throttle only button is supposed to pop out and you should go into gear. I'll have to upload the service manuals for that control, so give me a little while and I will post links for them.

 

[Don S]

Re: no forward gear

Ok, here ya go. You need two sections to cover that control.
Here is Section 11 and Section 14

 

[EsteroBayJay]

Re: no forward gear

Thats great! I'll get to work, thanks

 

[EsteroBayJay]

Re: no forward gear

Thanks Don,

It turned out the shift cable was completely disconnected. It must have been loose and then disconnected during the ride to the ramp.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: no forward gear

Wouldn't it not go in to rev then?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: no forward gear

Whatever, another satisfied customer.