89 3.0 No Neutral....ESA / Shift Assist Engaged instead...Entire Time

[JaredG89]

I have a 1989 OMC I/O 3.O in my Bayliner. Have never had any shifting problems until this year. The shifter was very stiff this season on its first run when i was trying to shift between gears. More importantly anytime the shifter was in neutral, the esa would engage the entire time. This meant I had no neutral the entire day which meant no restarts. The boat shifted fine into forward and reverse but if it was put into neutral the esa engaged and would not disengage unless put into a gear. The esa seemed to be working fine when shifting, but just wouldn't disengage when in neutral. The boat would just idle down to almost a stall and stumble. Also when in neutral, because of the esa, I could not rev up the engine to keep it running.

I've found ESA replacements on iboats, but can't find a part number from them or dougrussell. It appears as though they no longer have the exploded parts views for parts numbers. Any idea on the part number?

Is there just a cleaning or adjustment that needs to be made?

Any help would be appreciated. I'd like to fix it asap. Thanks!

 

[woody66912]

Re: 89 3.0 No Neutral....ESA / Shift Assist Engaged instead...Entire Time

I think your shift cable is hanging up. The one that goes from the drive to inside the boat, you will either have to replace the cable assy or you can try to just clean the cable housing with some brake cleaner. In short the drive must off to do either one. And if you have to pull the drive you might as well put a new cable in. One way to diagnose this, is to let it stay in cylinder misfire go back to the engine and see where the shift cutout lever is, that's the thining that looks like it has three groves in it .and move it so the center grove lines up with roller on the switch. If it comes out of shift interrupt than you need a cable.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: 89 3.0 No Neutral....ESA / Shift Assist Engaged instead...Entire Time

I don't think the ESA is your problem, I think you need to change you shift cable. I changed mine, 88 capri 3.0, and it shifts like a dream now. Well, that maybe overstating it, but I don't have any problems. It was a nerve wracking job, but really not that hard.