Alpha I shift woes

lorax

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 3, 2002
Messages
134
my 4.3L Mercruiser was stalling when I tried to apply power in reverse. I adjusted the linkage as per factory manual instructions but was unable to get the shift interupt switch to stay centered when shifted to reverse. <br /><br />Now it will shift into reverse and forward OK but I have a hard time getting it to go into neutral while the engine is running.<br /><br />Any thoughts?<br />Thanks
 

flashback

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
4,040
Re: Alpha I shift woes

I no expert on this but have you tried to actuate the interupt switch manually to see if it is working? When you push on it, it should kill the engine....also I don't know how old the unit is but many folks here on the forum have commented on replacing the lower shift cable, as it goes bad first.
 

Trent

Captain
Joined
Nov 17, 2001
Messages
3,333
Re: Alpha I shift woes

As Flashback said. Time for a new lower shift cable. Very common.
 

lorax

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 3, 2002
Messages
134
Re: Alpha I shift woes

Thanks for the suggestions.<br />I think you guys are right on target. <br />I monkeyed with the interrupt switch during this process and I think maybe it's no longer ... interupting(?) I guess that prevents it from stalling when I shift into reverse but it also prevents it from shifting back into neutral from reverse or forward.<br />How big of hassle is the lower shift cable?<br />Thanks again.
 

karayj

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
472
Re: Alpha I shift woes

whats the rpm range when going to neutral 800 I hope??? had the sme problem lowerd my rpms to 800 works fine without the interupt switch working
 

loadnet

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2003
Messages
225
Re: Alpha I shift woes

I have to say.. I second some of seasprites comment on the idle rpm.<br /><br />What is your idle rpm when you are attempting to move the shifter 'back' into neutral?<br /><br />550 to 675 is should shift like butter.<br /><br />If it's not that low you could be experiencing a massive drag on the shift lever.
 

lorax

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 3, 2002
Messages
134
Re: Alpha I shift woes

interesting observations seasprite and cptn.<br />I'm not sure about the idle. My tach acts a little flakey sometimes. It's indicating an idle speed of 1000RPM. But it seems like the engine is running much slower than that. Maybe I should find a tach I can rely on and check it out.<br /><br />Since I started this thread my problems have gotten more interesting (worse). Based on the suggestions from flashback and trent I ran the boat up to the local Merc shop to get an estimate on the shift cable (I just don't have the time or knowledge to mess with it)<br />While discussing the job the technician informed me that the gimbal ring needs replacing. He based this on the fact that there is an extreme amount of slop in the lower unit. In other words you can physically move it back and forth (aprox 5 inches) and the steering wheel doesn't move.<br />Because of the shape of the transom he says he can't drill and gain access to the steering nut which means he has to pull the engine.<br />Needless to say the dollar signs just kept rolling on up.<br />Now I'm scratching my head and hoping for a lightning strike on the boat. Any thoughts?<br />Thanks
 
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