mercruiser shift problems

[delmarjr]

When I shift my 350 Mag Alpha 1 from gear back to neutral it always stalls out. Then I wiggle the shifter and it always starts back up. It doesn't stall from neutral to forward or reverse gear. Could it be the neutral safety switch in the shifter or the shift switch on the engine by the shift linkage? The quicksilver shifter neutral control button seems not working because I do not have to squeeze it to shift to forward or reverse. The boat is a 1990 Stingray SVC 200. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

I'd sooner think it's Time for a Lower Shift Cable Replacement...........<br /><br />99 out of 100 times it's the Cable,+ NOT the Switch..........

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

Water intrusion thru the shift shaft bushing in the bell housing into the cavity where the cable terminates kills more cables than is usually realized.A new cable will temp. fix the condition butt knott fix the problem!

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

The neutral safety switch only stops power going to the starter so you can't crank the engine when in gear.<br />The neutral control button when pushed in neutral allows the use of the throttle only so you can pump the throttle and rev the engine while still in neutral.<br />Like Bondo stated the lower shift cable is probably bad. When they start getting stiff, it holds the shift interrupt switch on too long before it releases.<br />Watch the V bracket where the cable and switch are. It will probably be staying pushed off center when coming out of gear and staying off center. Then when you wiggle the shifter it moves back to center.<br />Shift cable failure is VERY common on Alpha drives.

 

[delmarjr]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

I do notice that when I shift back to neutral the switch does hang on the switch closed side of the v bracket which is killing the engine. So I lubed the whole mechanism and it helps slightly but not fixed. It acts like the spring is weak or not strong enough to return the switch v bracket to the low spot to open the switch back up. Do you still think it is the lower shift cable causing the problem because it shifts into gears fine, but still stalls when going back to neutral most of the time?

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

do notice that when I shift back to neutral the switch does hang on the switch closed side of the v bracket which is killing the engine.

That describes a defective shift cable to a tee.<br />It's a very common problem with Merc Alpha drives.

 

[delmarjr]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

Is the shift cable the same for alpha 1 gen 1 or 2? I don't know if it has a support tube like some dealers ask? Please help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

You have the Alpha 1,.......... Not the GenII,... It came out After your boat was Built.....

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

The cable is the same Alpha I and Alpha I Gen II. The Mercruiser PN is 19543A 10<br /><br />What is this "Support Tube" you speak of ?????<br />Are you talking to a Merc dealer or some boat store that doesn't have a clue?<br />If it's an actual Mercruiser dealer, I would really worry about their parts person if they ask you about a support tube. Or would really like to know what the conversation involved in getting to that statement.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

Don, was used on 41951A1,19543A3<br />stranded core with soldered tip, used a support tube for the cable to make it stiffer unlike the armored type of the Alphas and later.

 

[delmarjr]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

Thanks, I replaced the shift cable and new style bushings/seals etc and it works like a champ.

 

[tystick]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

does this cable come in various lengths or is it adjustable? How do you compensate for different size boats?

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser shift problems

The lower cable (the one from the outdrive to the engine) is always the same size. The one going from the engine to the helm control is the one that changes size with different sized boats.