Cobra shift cable adjustments

[ashc2025]

I've been looking around online and through my Seloc manual and can't seem to find informaiton on my particular system. I have a 1990 3.0L OMC, and the book will touch a few individual aspects of the shift interupt system but not mine in particular; the infor seems kind of generic as well.

I've read up on the forum on how the interupt system works, my issue it that it's engaging all of the time. When I shift to and from gear I'm fine, I can troll the boat around at idle speeds. (Forward or reverse). The shifter will come right out of any gear and into neutral just fine. This is in the water or on muffs. Once I go beyond idle speed the switch with be engaged by the "dog bone" then studder and die unless I pull it out of throttle. This is in forward or reverse as well.

My Seloc has an adjustment procedure for 1992 and up, and there are only install guidelines for the cables, no real adjustment procedure that I can find. Does anybody know the factory spacings and positions for the cables? No matter what adjustments I make to the remote cable have had any real affect on the problem.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

First of all, the Seloc manual is pretty much worthless. PM me and I can send you a link to a real manual.

If your ESA is engaging going into/out of gear and then not releasing, your lower shift cable has excess friction and needs to be replaced.

2 properly adjust the lower shift cable, you need to buy the two special tools. You can find them on ebay.

OMC Cobra Bell Crank Shift Cable Adjustment Tool 914017 915271 90500 90510 | eBay

OMC_Cobra_Shift_Cable_Adjustment1
OMC_Cobra_Shift_Cable_Adjustment2

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

The docs Bruce gave you only show how to adjust the shifter cables after the new shift cable is installed.. you will also need the doc that shows how to install the cable and how it is adjusted with the tools.. it can be found here

Midnight Wolf Sales - OMC Tools

 

[MRS]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

One other thing to check is the overstroke cam that is the upper cam and make sure when full forward the switch is depressed if not it will miss and studder. I know cause mine came loose and moved just enough that I did not see it moved drove me nuts till I ajusted and tighten back up.

 

[ashc2025]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

First of all, the Seloc manual is pretty much worthless. PM me and I can send you a link to a real manual.

If your ESA is engaging going into/out of gear and then not releasing, your lower shift cable has excess friction and needs to be replaced.

2 properly adjust the lower shift cable, you need to buy the two special tools. You can find them on ebay.

Thanks for the Links, once I get to the house I'll have to open them up and see what I'm in for. (Gov computers don't play nice with e-bay ) gives me an excuse to stay away from the wife, LOL.

The docs Bruce gave you only show how to adjust the shifter cables after the new shift cable is installed.. you will also need the doc that shows how to install the cable and how it is adjusted with the tools.. it can be found here

This site is blocked too - guess they are tryign to tell me to work instead of fix my boat. I'll open it up at home and see what I got, again thanks for the help.

One other thing to check is the overstroke cam that is the upper cam and make sure when full forward the switch is depressed if not it will miss and studder. I know cause mine came loose and moved just enough that I did not see it moved drove me nuts till I ajusted and tighten back up.

Yeah the cam is engaging the switch. Does this cancel out the shift assist? So if both switches are depressed, then I would assume that the engine shouldn't studder at all.....or maybe I'm missing something. I'd have to see an actual schematic other than a wiring diagram.

 

[MRS]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

Was trying to load the info. for the overstroke switch but photobucket not working now. But anyhow you must make sure all cables are right first then go to adjusting them. I do not care witch tools you buy to adjust but I did use the tools that bruceb58 throw on here to do all my adjustments and worked perfect no adjustments needed. You do need to find a factory manual for your year boat to get the right info. you need. Is this a new old boat to you or have you had it for awhile and this problem is new now?

 

[kmarine]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

I recomend adjusting the esa with the drive all the way down and the boat in the water or you are wasting your time. These are known for streched shift cables and an allingment issues. There were some models with updated esa and switch modifications and you may need to look which one applys to you. There is also a time out feature on some of these. there are many previous posts on adjusting these.

 

[ashc2025]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

Was trying to load the info. for the overstroke switch but photobucket not working now. But anyhow you must make sure all cables are right first then go to adjusting them. I do not care witch tools you buy to adjust but I did use the tools that bruceb58 throw on here to do all my adjustments and worked perfect no adjustments needed. You do need to find a factory manual for your year boat to get the right info. you need. Is this a new old boat to you or have you had it for awhile and this problem is new now?

I've been looking for the older sunbird manuals, but I think someone collected them all and had a book burning at some point in time. There's a few floating out there, luckily the internet is limitless. I was finally able to get the links up for the install, and they are way more in depth than the seloc. I'd compare Seloc to my old Haynes manuals for the cars. The boat is new to me, and the previous owner let it sit for a while because she had a lawsuit with a maintenance shop that went under. Good deal, and always wanted to own a boat, plus all the problems were mechanical so I knew I would be able to handle them. (insert foot in mouth)

I recomend adjusting the esa with the drive all the way down and the boat in the water or you are wasting your time. These are known for streched shift cables and an allingment issues. There were some models with updated esa and switch modifications and you may need to look which one applys to you. There is also a time out feature on some of these. there are many previous posts on adjusting these.

I might give this a shot before I pull the back end off again. It's getting pretty cold and a dock is a ways away tho. I'll manage some how. Good thing is that I can always winterize and pick up where I left off in the spring. All the fluids are clean and new with the fresh rebuild. What's the time-out feature? Haven't heard of that term yet.

 

[MRS]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

You need the omc cobra manual for the year of your motor and outdrive I found my and also a 4.3 parts catolog for my year boat on e-bay. Plus if you are going to pull outdrive I would change out the transom shift cable for sure since it has been sitting for awhile. If that cable is not right it will never shift right and will not let the other components do there job if you get the tools when you do the cable they will put the cable ajustments right where they should be good luck. Should shift smooth and easy if all is right.

 

[Four Winns Erie]

Re: Cobra shift cable adjustments

Here is the link to the 1990 factory engine manual:
My Files