omc shift assist no forward gear

ramman28

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Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
18
I just picked up a 88 four wins Liberator 201 with a 350 omc king cobra. Reverse works good. Just revs up in the water when you try to shift into forward. When engine is off and you spin the prop it goes in drive and reverse just no drive in water. I have forward if I detatch shift cable at motor and start it in gear. Both esa switches have continuity when activated but engine does not stumble. Is the esa module the cause?
 

projo198

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
317
Re: omc shift assist no forward gear

I don't think your ESA would cause that because it is more for shifting OUT of gear into neutral. I would suspect the lower shift cable itself.
 
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ramman28

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Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
18
Re: omc shift assist no forward gear

So I may have to take my outdrive off and adjust it?
 

ramman28

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Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
18
Re: omc shift assist no forward gear

Because it shifts fine into reverse always. When engine is off you have to spin prop to get it in gear. Goes into drive at end of cable right before throttle is applied. But won't go into drive at all of engine is running. My esa is not working either. But comes out of gear fine
 

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Re: omc shift assist no forward gear

So I may have to take my outdrive off and adjust it?
shift cables are generally adjusted with outdrive on - just follow the step by step in the manual.

first step is to figure out if you have a dog clutch Cobra that the marketing department added "King" to , or a real King Cobra (cone clutch) drive.

Your model number will reveal that
 

tborgers

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Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
10
Re: omc shift assist no forward gear

I had this same problem last fall, on my 1991 liberator 201 with the King Cobra. Ended up being the cone clutch was shot, the reverse side of the clutch was fine because its rarely used, but the forward side was smoothed right over. I hate to tell you that, but I spent $600 in parts before arriving at a $1300 shop bill. I looked into the cable and got one and installed it but still had the same problems. I also replaced the shifter because it had a lot of play in it. I hope this helps
 
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