Merc shift problems

[autobosn]

I have a 2002 Maxum w/a 5.0 Merc and Alpha1 with 80 hrs on it. When I run it in forward, no problem even at high speed, when I shift into reverse it makes a clicking sound (like gears aren't fully engaged) and shuts down the engine as soon as I try to increase the throttle, it will still back down but only at idle. I checked the linkage, it travels freely forward and reverse and appears to engage fully forward and reverse, the outdrive has never been removed and worked perfectly last year until the end of the season, any suggestions? Could something be out of alignment?

 

[tommays]

Re: Merc shift problems

its most likely a sticking lower shift cable causeing the shift interupt switch to kill the motor<br /><br />if the drive has never been off it would be a good time to have it removed and see whats going on with the shift linkage<br /><br />this will give you idea whats inside<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14notice.pdf <br /><br /><br />tommays