Engine quits in reverse when throttling

[dfwyatt]

On my 1989 Searay with the Mercruiser 4.3L i/o, I can shift into forward and rev it fine, but when i shift in reverse and push the throttle further back, to rev the engine a little in reverse, the engine just shuts off, like there is some sort of safety thing. If i hold the "throttle only" button and move the shifter in reverse it revs fine, it is ONLY when in reverse gear and revving in reverse, its like a certain position on the throttle shuts the engine off, EVERYTIME. Any idea, is there some saaftey thing I am missing?<br /><br />Thanks<br />-dan

 

[tommays]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

there is a shift switch on the motor were the upper and lower shift cables connect that is only suppose to kill the motor long enough to come OUT OF GEAR but if its out of adjustment or the shift cables are sticking which is pretty common it could do this<br /><br />tommays

 

[wake5150]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

The Shift Cutout switch is normally open. <br /><br />As a mean of investigation, would it be OK for Dan to disconnect this switch temporarily? Or would the load on the leg be damaging?<br /><br />I know, I know.. An Adjustment is probably in order. <br /><br />Chris

 

[tommays]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

if you disable the switch its almost inpossable to get the drive out of gear which is really BAD if you need to dock and such<br /><br /><br />when its working correctly most people dont even realize its there its so fast<br /><br />tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

If you disable it, you will grind your gears and need a new drive eventually. How easy does the cable travel? If it shifts hard,the lower shift cable is on it's way out and should be replaced.If not adjust accordingly.

 

[dfwyatt]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

Shifts real easy, no grinding or anything now, just push it back in reverse, it'll go in gear, then give it some gas and it plain dies, if your quick enough to jam it back in neutral the engine kicks back in, even if you really quickly give it full throttle reverse the engine dies, so what should i do, and is this switch on the carb assembly or where the shifting cables are? what does it look like? or what is its formal name so I can look it up in my manual?<br /><br />Thanks guys

 

[tommays]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

the manual name is shift cutout switch<br /><br />when you find it if you can have some one move the controls while you look at the switch while changeing gears<br /><br /> it only has to get a tiny push to kill the engine thas why the cable condition and adjustment is inportant<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Engine quits in reverse when throttling

If it use to work OK in reverse and has just started doing this, then adjustment will only make a small problem worse. What is happening is the shift slide down in the transom assembly has to retract over the cable in the reverse position. Probably got some corrosion in there and its hanging up and not retracting back fully.