Shift brackets for Mercuiser 5.0 Alpha One Gen 2

[dlogvine]

I've been trying to figure out why my cutoff switch does not work when im shifting gears. I tried to push it manually and it shuts the engine without any problems.
The engine I am using on 2006 Baja Islander 202 is an older rebuilt 1993 Mercruiser 5.0 V8. I looked at the original shift bracket that came with the engine and since I tried almost everything possible, and looks like when I am shifting the gear lever (this model of Baja Islander has dual lever shifter, one for gears another one for gas) it does not push enough on the bracket to engage the shutoff switch.
So my questions are
1. does this dual lever remote control require different shift plate?
2. Do i need the shift assist for this shift plate?
3. Could the problem be in the shift plate itself and should I try to change it?
Thank you.

 

[dubs283]

1. no
2. i've found the shift assist assy cause more problems than they alleviate
3. possibly but not likely, there hasn't been much change in the shift plate assy over the years, a brand new one will most likely be the same as what you have now

a couple things to look at, there is some adjustment to be made for the switch itself whether its the older style arm/roller or the newer plunger style. both allow for loosening the mount screws and moving the assy itself to engage the plunger sooner/later. the older style with the steel arm is nice because you can bend the arm to gain/lose distance

the v-spring in the notched switch actuator can be replaced with a stiffer one but it sounds like you may not need a stiffer spring, or maybe you do. i can't see whats happening on your boat.

its also quite possible the lower shift cable is faulty or misadjusted and could need replacing

 

[harringtondav]

1. No.
2. The shift assist adds a little spring force aiding shifts back to neutral from FWD or REV. It has no impact on the shift interrupter. A senior forum member suggests removing it and throwing it in the bin.
3. Shift interrupt may not activate on muffs due to little prop resistance. If it doesn't work in the water you should be able to adjust it. First verify the Y plate is functioning correctly with both legs of the centering spring intact and seated. Also verify it moves up and down freely with no binding. A shot of spray lube at the pivot may help.

If you have the old style switch with a roller and spring arm, you can carefully bend the roller end of the arm outward so it sets deeper in the Y plates notch. Do this a little at a time until the switch activates correctly. Don't go any deeper into the notch than necessary or the mechanism could be hyper sensitive an cause the engine to kill.

The new style plunger switch has a slotted mounting for this adjustment.

 

[Bondo]

I've been trying to figure out why my cutoff switch does not work when im shifting gears.

Ayuh,...... Is this in the water,..?? or on the hard,..??

 

[dlogvine]

Ayuh,...... Is this in the water,..?? or on the hard,..??

Running it on the driveway with the muffs. I dont see any motion of the shutoff switch bracket when im shifting. Replaced and adjusted the lower shifter cable. 6 inches from the barrel center to the center of the hole, like the description says. The upper cable has fixed length, no barrel, so cannot adjust anything. Tried the shift bracket from my other boat, same result. It shifts, but looks like it catches gears when shifting.

 

[dubs283]

Running it on the driveway with the muffs. .

not gonna be enough load/force on the prop to engage the shift interrupt switch running on muffs out of the water

you need to witness the shift interrupt switch/v notch movement with the boat in the water to verify proper operation

if you had an issue with the switch you'd find it near impossible to shift from in gear to neutral with the boat in the water

 

[dlogvine]

not gonna be enough load/force on the prop to engage the shift interrupt switch running on muffs out of the water

you need to witness the shift interrupt switch/v notch movement with the boat in the water to verify proper operation

if you had an issue with the switch you'd find it near impossible to shift from in gear to neutral with the boat in the water

Thank you. Ill check out the boat on the lake tomorrow. I was not aware of the difference between being on water with running prop and shifting it on the muffs. It means I learned something new today!

 

[achris]

... A senior forum member suggests removing it and throwing it in the bin.....

ONLY for carbed engines. MPI and EFI need the assister due to only cutting half the cylinders. And due to the design of the shift plate, I suggested opening up the assister and removing the springs. You still need the 'shell' so the cables sit correctly.

... and looks like when I am shifting the gear lever (this model of Baja Islander has dual lever shifter, one for gears another one for gas) it does not push enough on the bracket to engage the shutoff switch....

You're misunderstanding how the interrupt system works. It's nothing to do with the control lever(s). It's all about the load on the lower shift cable. If there's no load on the prop (running on muffs, or still coasting forward) while pulling out of gear, then the switch will not activate!

There is also an adjustment for the switch. It should be adjusted so 3.3mm of lever (or plunger) movement closes it. Use a 3.3mm drill as a gauge and a multimeter to get the adjustment correct.

Chris........

 

[harringtondav]

Replaced and adjusted the lower shifter cable. 6 inches from the barrel center to the center of the hole, like the description says. The upper cable has fixed length, no barrel, so cannot adjust anything.

Great to hear that! Glad you got through your issues.

 

[dlogvine]

Thank you guys. Just came from the lake, it works perfectly. No problems with shifting, all goes smooth and easy!!!