Cant shift back to neutral after lower unit replacement

[burnt clutch]

Hey all, I have a 2003 Mercury Tracker 40hp ELPT and since I removed and re-installed the lower unit, I cant get the shifter control to go back to neutral after I move it forward. I recently had the lower unit off to replace an impellor, and that is when the problem started. The shift shaft was decoupled and re-coupled with the shifter in neutral. if the shift shaft is decoupled, the shifter moves freely forward and backward. Is there a neutral lockout in play somewhere? On note, if I spin the propeller clockwise, I can shift back to neutral and reverse again, until I shift it forward. Thanks in advance for any help!
-Karl

 

[flyingscott]

Put the motor and lower unit both in forward. Then reassemble.

 

[racerone]

The clutch dog is spring loaded.----If you removed it in neutral it likely jumped into forward doing the work.----Do as stated above.