Mercruiser lower unit stuck in neutral

[wildride2]

I just took my 19ft Larson out of storage. It is a 1996 with 5.7 Alpha 1 unit. At first try it would just kill the engine when I put it in gear. I then unhooked the shifter "kill" switch and worked the control back and forth hoping to loosen whatever. All the linkage seems very free except for cable going down to the lower unit. I cannot move that cable either with the engine off or running. I am guessing that something in the shift mechanism in the lower unit is seized or frozen from storage. Does anyone know an easy way to check or fix this.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Mercruiser lower unit stuck in neutral

welcome to iboats, fellow Cheesehead. Go Pack!<br /><br />If you take the outdrive off, you can determine if it's the cable (my bet) or the drive. With the drive off you can get to the end of the cable. Disconnect it at the motor end and check for easy movement. If it moves freely, the problem is likely in the drive. How's the gearlube?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser lower unit stuck in neutral

Did it shift hard last time you used it? The lower cable probably needs to be replaced. Take the drive off, and see how hard it shifts from the controls.It should be very smooth. A corroded cable will cause the shift cut out to stick and kill the engine. Don't by-pass the switch or you wiil destroy your out drive. Look at the small arm withthe wheel on it at the bottom ofr the gimbal ring, it should swing freely.If it passes these tests you need to lok at the drive. J

 

[wildride2]

Re: Mercruiser lower unit stuck in neutral

Thanks to both for the suggestions. The quick replies were very helpful. As it turned out the problem was the cable. It was pretty well froze solid from lack of lubrication. The real trick was pulling the outdrive of when it couldn't be shifted into forward as recommended. All I could do is pry the drive off and hope for the best. I think the prying process forced the shift slider to it's forward position. I'm lucky but it didn't seem to damage anything. The inner shift cable looked dry but in good shape so the only new parts I needed were gaskets and O rings. Thanks again for helping a first time marine mechanic.