Baja Islander 202 (2004 Merc 5.0 MPI) stalling when docking or loading onto trailer

[tennvols93]

Hey guys, I am hoping you can help better understand what exactly is going on with my boat. I just recently purchased a 2004 baja islander 202 with a Mercruiser 5.0 MPI. The boat runs fine, but when I am going up to a dock and shift from Forward to Neutral, the boat will sometimes stall. I can put it back to neutral and it will fire right up. Same with loading. When i ease up to the trailer and start the process of shifting down to neutral and/or neutral to reverse to slow it down, it does the same thing. But it's not every single time. This boat has the dual shifter.

Thanks!

 

[TurtleTamer]

Your lower shift cable is out of adjustment or sticky from age. The shifting mechanism has an interrupter switch that temporarily stalls the engine in order to release the clutch dogs in the lower unit and allow it to go into neutral. When the cable is out of adjustment or old, it'll stay stalled too long and kill the engine.

 

[tennvols93]

Thanks turtle. Everything I keep finding is saying it could be the IAC valve, but my gut said that wasn't it.

 

[scoflaw]

Turtle could be right if you have an Alpha drive. There is no such switch on a Bravo

 

[tennvols93]

Yep it's an alpha one.

 

[alldodge]

Yes, lower shift cable

 

[QBhoy]

If not the lower shift cable....I’m betting it’s the old common MPI problems. In order of checking/replacement would be the Diz cap and rotor (would be sensible to replace this anyway...because 100% it will let you down at some point if not done last 2/3 years), IAC, Or TPS. SW pressure sensor is the other main fault, but not in this case.
Also worth noting that the battery has to be in tip top condition at all times. Even if the engine is running...these MPI are so reliant on a strong battery at all times.
All the best...and chance the Diz cap !

 

[achris]

As it's only happening when he's shifting from gear (forward or reverse) to neutral, there's a much higher likelihood it's the lower shift cable than an engine problem. An IAC/dissy cap problem would show up randomly. This doesn't appear to be a random event.

Chris......

 

[tennvols93]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I'll be looking up info on adjusting the lower cable. I'm pretty new to these mercruiser MPIs.

 

[Bt Doctur]

IF the shift interupter is operating and kills the motor, the cable needs to be replaced being 14 years old already.

 

[tennvols93]

Hey guys just wanted to provide an update. I wanted to make sure this wasn't user error related due to this being the first dual shifter I've owned. One thing I have noticed is this only happens once the motor is warm. After I've been cruising, I'll begin to pull back on the throttle slowly. When you get down to the bottom, the engine will die if you pull it all the way back. But it'll run if you keep the throttle 1 notch up. That's fine until you try to dock, due to the difficulty of shifting at a higher RPM. It's strange this is not an issue at all while the engine is cold. Altt I haven't adjusted the cable, all cables look fairly new if that matters. Thanks guys.

*Sent from cell, excuse typos

 

[Bt Doctur]

If the interrupter switch is activating and killing the motor and your positive you did the adjustments then you need a new lower shift cable or pull the drive to inspect for any corrosion

 

[tennvols93]

Could it still be the cable considering this problem literally only occurs when the motor is warm? It's strange as heck to me. Boat starts right up of the trailer, runs fine. End of the day, come in to load it (motor is warm and stable), go to pull into the dock to load, drop the throttle down to idle....dies. Put it in neutral, fires right up....dies again. Will continue to die until i give it some throttle. I have no issue with the boat stalling when going in out of gear when the engine is cold.

 

[alldodge]

Could it still be the cable considering this problem literally only occurs when the motor is warm? It's strange as heck to me. Boat starts right up of the trailer, runs fine. End of the day, come in to load it (motor is warm and stable), go to pull into the dock to load, drop the throttle down to idle....dies. Put it in neutral, fires right up....dies again. Will continue to die until i give it some throttle. I have no issue with the boat stalling when going in out of gear when the engine is cold.

This is a bit different statement then your first one. This would lean me to think the IAC

 

[tennvols93]

This is a bit different statement then your first one. This would lean me to think the IAC

This is my thought as well. I admit I was quick to jump the gun on the first post. I should have used the boat a little more. I picked up the ford equivalent at a local part store for $50 and I am going to put it on and test it. I hope buying the equivalent will be ok. The genuine mercruiser one wouldn't be here for up to 7 business days.

 

[alldodge]

Ford is fine and same as

 

[tennvols93]

Ford is fine and same as

Awesome! Only place that had it was a Duralast part. Says its made for a 2001-2003 Windstar.