Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

[Jimmy1960]

Let me introduce myself. Just got a 1988 Sea Ray Sorrento and boating on Lake Erie.

I am having trouble with the shift.

It was fine out of water and shifts hard around neutral.

I have seen the other posts regarding this situation.

Based on these posts it is either the shift interupt swithc or a bad cable. I don't think it is the cable since the shift is good when there is no load.

The question is those of you that had this problem did you find it an easy enough fix to do the repairs on your own. Have not had a chance to test the switch. Saw there were some that just bent the arm of the activator.

I relize this is a rehash of some posts but bumping it up may be of some help to me and others.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Welcome to iboats...

Poor shifting can be caused by a lot of things, and yes a lower shift cable is usually the cause. But start by telling us what engine and drive you have, as well as an approximate year.

 

[porker99]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

what ever u dont bend the arm on the switch. If any one tell u that u can. well there wrong I had the same problem with shifting the shift interrupt switch was one of the problem b/c it was the arm style and i bought the new button style which work a lot better. For change the cable is pretty easy but will take some time might be a full weekend project. What u do is disconnected the lower unit cable from the control center. Then remove the whole lower unit. Slid the cable out of the sleeve and remove the cable bellow then un screw the out cable from the gimbal then slide up the new outer cable up to the engine department this will take two people to slid it up b/c it tight. the slide the iner cable up dont grease it at all. slide the lower unit back up and the ajduct the cable.

But I would replace both b/c what happened is the shift interrupt kills the engine just slight so the clutch will slide out of gear. The cable might be stiff so i would at lest change the cable.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

The cable change is not too bad make sure you follow the service manual (if we are talking Merc here). The adult section has the manuals you will need. I did my bellows and cable in a few hours mind you I have done them before as well.

Again if we are talking about an Alpha drive here be sure to check the switch it needs to interrupt to get it out of gear under load. Bad cables normally stall the boat shifting as it keeps the ignition off too long for the engine to recover.

The interupt switch (as far as I know) is adjusted by bending the arm but the service procedure calls out a special merc tool (go figure). This is also corvered, I assume, in the service manual, mine is.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Works on trailer, but not in water and boat is 22 years old. Probably lower shift cable.

Shift interrupt system only work when the boat is in the water. Has no effect when running on muffs. You were using muffs, RIGHT???

The above assumes alpha - you did not provide this info in your original post.

 

[Jimmy1960]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Sorry for the omitted information.

With the muffs on it shifted fine. Put in in the dock and had the trouble shifting around neutral. Control is fine otherwise.

Engine 5.7 merc. Alpha drive . 1988 Sea Ray Sorrento 21 SC. The lower unit was replace about three years ago due to damage cause by hitting a rock. Prior to my ownership. It was my brothers boat so I know this is true.

Boat is currently docked.

The drive will slowly go into neutral if I let the control hang there awhile. The problem comes when docking Not able to brake the boat into reverse quite fast enough due to the trouble crossing over from forward to neutral to reverse. Same is true going the other direction.

I have called for repair but they are not sure when they can get to it. I do have some mechanical skill but little time. I was hoping that if it was an easy fix I could work on it this weekend.


Thanks again replies have been helpful.

 

[porker99]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

dose it die when putting it in to reverse. well heres and easy way to tell if the the cable take the lower unit cable off were its in the engine compartment and slide it back and forth there should be little friction but not to much. If there alot of friction the cable bad. If it moves free it could just need adjusted. Or the switch is bad. If u have the are style I would replace it. The arm was a stupid engineering idea.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Well it very well could be a cable but it sounds interupt related. If the switch is not working pulling it into neutral will be very hard to do. Make sure the idle is set to the correct RPM as well.

With the engine running in neutral manually push the switch in and the engine should die as it will ground the ignition.

You could also have someone try and shift it and watch the interupt switch the mechanics should rock over and engage the switch while trying to shift after verifing the switch does work above.

The other way I have done in the past if you are in gear pull gently towards neutral and shut the motor down the load will come off the prop and it should go into neutral without issues.

This is just my experiance in the past hope it helps.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

As mentioned above - simply check to see if the switch is working first by manually engaging it. The engine should die.

If it doesn't, then either the switch or wiring is bad. The switch allows the engine to stumble and release the load on the lower unit which allows the unit to get out of gear.

If the switch works, then it is possible it is not engaging at the right time. This was the case with my outdrive recently. Then the manual actually does call for bending the arm of the switch. BUT - before doing that, do as suggested with checking the operation of the switch first.

 

[Jimmy1960]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Thank you all for the reply.

I travel much and didn't have time to look into making the repairs.

It indeed was the shift interrupt switch. The mechanics replaced the shift plate assembly which included the new style interrupt switch. All works well.


Wanted to have an update for any of those that may have similar problem

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Cool! Thanks for the update. That helps.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Thanks for the update, glad you got it all straight.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Shift Interupt switch bad cables.

Great you got it worked out thanks for the update.