1984 Mercruiser 305 won"t start with the gear lever in neutral.

[kbmsound]

I bought a 1984 Imperial with a 305 Mercruiser. The motor runs good, but only when I play with the gear shift lever. If i keep the lever in neutral, the motor turns but it does not star up. I believe it might be a shift cable adjustment or kill switch adjustment. Can anyone point in the right direction to find instructions on how to adjust these things. Thanks in advance and let me know if I can provide additional info.

 

[JustJason]

Are you starting the engine the right way? Pop the throttle into neutral, give it a couple of pumps, hold it about 1/3rd of the way open before turning the key?

 

[wrench 3]

In case you need a little more info on "pop the throttle into neutral". The two most common types either have a button at the base of the control lever that you push in towards the box while moving the lever from neutral towards forward. This opens the throttle up with out putting it into gear. With the second type you have to pull the lever sideways away from the box while moving the lever.

 

[kbmsound]

In case you need a little more info on "pop the throttle into neutral". The two most common types either have a button at the base of the control lever that you push in towards the box while moving the lever from neutral towards forward. This opens the throttle up with out putting it into gear. With the second type you have to pull the lever sideways away from the box while moving the lever.

I will check this, but i didnt see a push button. I am not sure about moving the lever sideways. I will have to check this. the problem is not starting the motor though, it's getting it to start with the lever in the neutral prosition (at the 12 o clock position)

 

[Bt Doctur]

By starting, if you mean to have the motor spin over, there is a neutral safety switch in in the control box to prevent starting in gear.
Most motors need the throttle advanced some, meaning not in neutral ,To operate "throttle only" there is either a push button or the lever inself pulls outward to acess throttle only. Once running and warmed up a bit the throttle is brought back to neutral to disengage throttle only
post a pic of your control box.

 

[kbmsound]

By starting, if you mean to have the motor spin over, there is a neutral safety switch in in the control box to prevent starting in gear.
Most motors need the throttle advanced some, meaning not in neutral ,To operate "throttle only" there is either a push button or the lever inself pulls outward to acess throttle only. Once running and warmed up a bit the throttle is brought back to neutral to disengage throttle only
post a pic of your control box.

I will post a pic when i have a chance. But I can tell you that there is no control box. The lever just protrudes out from the wall. Has a trim switch in the handle and one just a bit back from it. I will post pic as soon as possible.

 

[wrench 3]

If your description is correct, You'll need to pull the lever away from the side of the boat. It usually works better if you grasp the bottom of the lever.
Marine engines don't have a fast idle like a car. So you have to advance the throttle manually for a cold start.

 

[kbmsound]

No Title

I tried to pull the lever away from the side of the boat but there is a very small travel.

 

[wrench 3]

They only pull out about 1/4". Sometimes you have to rattle the lever back and fourth a bit.
Are you sure that there's nothing in the center of the bottom of the lever. It looks odd, but it may just be missing some trim.

 

[kbmsound]

They only pull out about 1/4". Sometimes you have to rattle the lever back and fourth a bit.
Are you sure that there's nothing in the center of the bottom of the lever. It looks odd, but it may just be missing some trim.

No, I think it's just missing a little plastic or metal cover. I will have to take to a mechanic to see if they can fix.

 

[Alumarine]

No, I think it's just missing a little plastic or metal cover. I will have to take to a mechanic to see if they can fix.

Maybe it's missing the button for neutral?
The pictures too small to see and sorry I'm not familiar with that control.

 

[thumpar]

I had that same control on my old boat. Use your thumb and fingers of your left hand to pull the handle away from the plate while pushing the throttle forward with your right hand. That will put it in throttle only.

 

[kbmsound]

I had that same control on my old boat. Use your thumb and fingers of your left hand to pull the handle away from the plate while pushing the throttle forward with your right hand. That will put it in throttle only.

I will try again tomorrow. Thanks for the info.

 

[thumpar]

On a side note, if it is hooked up correctly the switch on the handle is for trim and the one just behind it is for tilt.

 

[kbmsound]

On a side note, if it is hooked up correctly the switch on the handle is for trim and the one just behind it is for tilt.

Yeah, those work fine. The rear bottom one is like the Trailer button on some other controls, and the handle one is for trim.
I may try to replace that control box with something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/141915248946?item=141915248946&viewitem=&vxp=mtr
Would that be a good choice? I believe the current box feels like it might be giving up soon.

 

[thumpar]

Yeah, those work fine. The rear bottom one is like the Trailer button on some other controls, and the handle one is for trim.

Yep, I was just making sure you knew the difference.