Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

[Bonus]

I was at the lake today. Backed off trailer went back to dock to pick up buddy... pull up..tap reverse to stop for him to step on and it goes a little forward... hit reverse a little harder and boat jumps onto dock. Buddy jumped onto boat before it hit him. It was kind of a funny picture.<br /><br />I was still thinking I screwed up and hit wrong gear; trird a third time, boat kept pushing on dock. It was pretty wild. Got out on lake and found it would not go into reverse, remained in forward, and accelerated faster as I tried to reverse. I'm gonna go through adjusting it this summmer.<br /><br />Bob, jumping docks in Colorado.

 

[Bonus]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

I mean "adjusting it this week", (not summer)<br /><br />Bob in CO

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

Have you changed your impeller recently?

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

Not sure how you could hit the wrong gear, push the lever forward to go forward, pull it back for reverse.<br />Do you have neutral?<br />What happens when you put it in forward? Does it go backwards?<br />Did you replace the prop and possibly get a couter rotating prop?<br />What work has been done on the boat? New shifter, new cables, outdrive repair?

 

[Bonus]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

I realized that wasn't too clear, it was late. <br /><br />Forward and reverse worked normally immediately before the “incident” for the last 10+ outings this and last year; no recent changes. Reverse was slightly out of adjustment as you would have to tap or move the shifter slightly past idle in reverse for it to drop/clunk in, but it was pretty consistent. Yesterday, while approaching the dock at idle (600-650 rpm's) in forward, I tried to reverse and it continued forward. In hindsight it most likely did not go into neutral either; that is why it was approaching faster than anticipated. <br /><br />I now realize it was in forward even when the shifter was in neutral or reverse at idle (or a touch above idle). So when I put the shifter DEEPER into reverse to provide a moderate push "IN REVERSE" to slow down; it lurched forward moderately (and people was jumping and running). It really only jumped the bow eye up on the dock, but it was exciting. After trying reverse three times I realized it was moving forward, we pushed it of the dock and floated out to check it out. <br /><br />If you shut it off, keep or place it in neutral, when you start it, it is in neutral; but if you put the shifter in reverse, it will move forward. If you put it in forward you are in forward, however it will not “drop” into neutral again. (I tried to get it into neutral but it kept moving forward at idle), and will accelerate in forward if you put the shifter into reverse and try to get it to “drop into reverse”<br /><br />Soooo I am hoping a cable is jammed up, or in need of significant adjustment. The bellcrank shifter linkage on top of the engine appears to be operating correctly and the neutral safety switch is still within adjustment. It doesn’t sound like it would be in the drive, but I'm no expert.<br /><br />Bob in CO<br />(playin James Bond on the dock)

 

[Bonus]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

Water pump impeller was changed at the beginning of season, but we have been out about 6 times since without issue, going into and out of reverse amply (hey were in Colorado; they're small lakes). I considered it, but figured it would have indicated a problem before this (20 hrs =/-). I have no problem dropping the lower unit; maybe the seemingly delicate linkage broke within there.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

If it worked up until now with impeller replacement, then you need to replace lower shift cable. You could try playing with the 'barrell nut', but I think you would be wasting your time. New cable.......J

 

[Bonus]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

The lower shift cable had just come loose at the the top where the set screw holds the core to the attaching point. I had it loose there last year when I did all the bellows. I used loctite this time. Gonna go out in a few........<br /><br />Bob in CO<br />No longer jumping docks

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

The square headed one's? I wouldn't have done that. It's gonna make it real hard when you do need to replace that cable. However, I hope your problem is fixed......J

 

[Bonus]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

Loctite is not permanent and there are three different strengths. If you use the correct one they work well to retain screws and are readily disassembled.<br /><br />Bob in CO

 

[rjohson]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

if the out drive was off and apart, than you may have installed your out drive in reverse gear while your shift lever was in forward gear.

 

[jackpal]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

How do you adjust shifter cable? My problem is when I go from reverse to neutral it does not disengage unless I go passed neutral to forward. I'M hoping it just needs to be adjusted.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1(MR) goes forward in reverse

Best to start a new thread. Not just tack on to an old thread. And include information like Year, model, make etc.