Mercruiser 3.0 stalls when putting into gear

[favalos08]

Boat starts and idles but stalls when I put into gear to accelerate or go in reverse. any ideas on what it could be? anyone have experience with this happening?

 

[alldodge]

Might be the shift interruptor switch.
Do this test in and open area in the water. Disconnect one of the wires at the shift switch, then see if the issue is fixed.

Note: with the wire disconnected, you may not be able to get the drive into neutral. May have to turn motor off to get it back in neutral

 

[favalos08]

Ok, we have to do this in open water? won't work if we do it with the water hose hooked up ?

 

[alldodge]

Ok, we have to do this in open water? won't work if we do it with the water hose hooked up ?

Correct, open water
The Alpha drive uses what's called a dog clutch. When in gear and under load (in the water) the forces on the prop keep the clutch from releasing. So what the interruptor switch does is cause the motor to stumble which unloads the clutch so it can be moved.

It doesn't happen on a hose because there is no load on the prop, so the clutch is always unloaded

 

[favalos08]

ok got it! Where are the shift switch wires? are they on top of the motor by the 2 shift arms ?

 

[alldodge]

ok got it! Where are the shift switch wires? are they on top of the motor by the 2 shift arms ?

Yes in most all cases.
We don't know which 3.0 you have so not sure if its correct, needs at least a year but serial numbers are best