Mercruiser hesitates going to neutral

[onthehunt49]

I have mid 80's to mid 90's 5.7 mercruiser. It has started hesitating 3-5 seconds when I shift to nuetral. I tried working the neutral interrupter switch back and forth.
Seemed to help slightly. Should I lube it with silicone or wd 40 or replace it ?

Shifts to forward or reverse fine.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Kola16]

Check your lower shift cable. Take the lower shift cable off the shift plate and gently pull it out and push it in as if it were shifting. Is it smooth and easy, or is it a little difficult?