Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

[big_chief]

I can shift into forward and reverse without any problems. Everytime I shift back into neutral the motor dies instantly. I just crank the motor back up and shift back into gear and its fine.

Ive adjusted the lower shift cable, checked reverse lockout, checked the lower shift cable for binding, checked the shift cutout switch, etc... Nothing works. I finally noticed my upper shift cable (from shifter to transom plate) has about 1/4 inch of "play"... which lead me to start looking into the actual shifter as the problem.

Does anyone know where I can find a manual for a Quicksilver 883710A02 shifter?

Reference the post below... Looks like another member had a similar problem as I am having.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=415673

 

[big_chief]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

Let me add some insights... Yes, I read the sticky on the "safety interupt"...

I have an 81' Alpha drive.

1. When making my cable adjustments at the transom plate... should the arm on the cutout switch be centered in the Y at neutral? I imagine, Yes.

2. When you shift INTO forward, should the arm on the cutout move out of the center of the Y?

3. If the arm should move from the center when shifting INTO gear, should it remain on either side of the Y? Or should it go back to the center of the Y?

Im trying to make sense of how the Y and the spring arm on the cutout switch operate. I'm hoping someone can tell me where the the position of the spring arm should be as the boat is operated... this might help me troubleshoot my problem better.

I got alot of people saying my lower shift cable is bad... Im wondering if it could be the actual switch, the adjustments... or the fact my upper shift cable has 1/4 inch play when shifted?

The sticky post was great... just trying to resolve the loose ends.

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

There is nothing in that control that can make the engine die when put into reverse.
Before you try to take it apart, do this
Look at the shift mechanism where the cables attach on the engine. With the engine running and the boat in the water and the drive in reverse, have someone shift out of reverse and see if the shift mechanism keeps the shift interrupt switch activated. If it does, then you have a cable or drive problem.
Did you pull the drive off and disconnect the cable at both ends to check for cable movement? It has to move VERY EASILY through it complete stroke.
Same with the shift shafts in the bellhousing and the drive.

 

[chaparall villain 2]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

i have an alpha outdrive on mine and sometimes mine does it when its trimmed down all the way it sorta binds might try hitting the trim up for just a sec then trying to shift into neutral see if that helps the problem .. i know it sounds unorthadox but hey worth a try

 

[big_chief]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

I pulled the lower shift cable from the plate and was able to move the cable by hand. I have to apply slight pressure to make it move, but it moved fine. I would not call it moving "VERY EASY" though.

So far, I have not pulled the drive because Im trying to get an idea how it works before I start dismantling. I bought the boat 6 months ago and had this problem since day 1. The previous owner let the boat sit for a year, but handed me a dated reciept with details to the outdrive rebuild he had done just before it sat a year. I assume the shop knew what they were doing so I never pulled the drive.

Quick Questions:

1. I noticed the spring arm moves to the side of the Y and stays there when shifting into reverse. I can use reverse just fine... but shifting back into neutral kills the motor. Should the spring arm stay on the side of the Y?

2. I noticed the spring arm DOES NOT move at all when shifting into forward. Again, the boat goes into forward just fine, but dies when shifting back to neutral. Should the spring arm move to the side of the Y when in forward?

Note: I have no problems with full range movement of forward and reverse. Even when the motor dies, there is no hard shifting happening... it just dies.

Is the interupt switch some kind of "timed" switch? Or is it "momentary" switch?

Thanks again for your insights... It looks like I will be pulling the drive to investigate further.

 

[big_chief]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

Chaparall: Thats amazing! I didnt think of that...

Short story: So even though I have these shifting problems, I still use the boat every so often. I dock it by coasting into the slip...

Anyhow, so the other day I fiddled with the cables again, launched the boat and for the first time ever, I managed to shift back and forth 3 or 4 times with no problems. As I left the channel, I noticed a "bump noise" when steering and realized my trim was a bit to high... so I trimmed it down and all was fine.

The rest of the day, it went back to stalling again in neutral... I never thought that it might have been because the motor was trimmed "normal"... I'll give it shot again trimming "up" just to see what happens.

Thanks Chaparall...

 

[chaparall villain 2]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

well i hope it works for you ... i think mine trims in just enough to cause it to bind when shifting into neutral but i like the hole shot so i leave it that way and just hit the trim up for a sec before i go into dock or trailer and it works fine

 

[Don S]

Re: Motor dies when shifting into Neutral

Put in a new Mercruiser OEM new style cable, and your problems will be over.

If the cable doesn't move VERY EASILY when unhooked, then it will be even worse when hooked up. You are fighting a faulty cable, that's all there is to it.