Shift Linkage Adjustment

[a124ave]

I am very new at this boat motor control so Don't be to hard on me but this is the shift linkage on my Hurricane boat. Not sure what style this is to search threads on it. Problem I am having is When I got this boat I am having shifting problem. Grinds going into forward and reverse. I checked the interrupter switch (I think it is the one in the "V" when I press it with motor running at idle engine never changes rpm's I think it should correct. Also does anyone have instructions on adjusting the linkage so I know they are correct?

 

[GA_Boater]

Moved this your own topic because you posted in an old thread - http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...59403-omc-800-shift-interrupt-switch-problems

Please look at the Help Tips on top of the page. It is much better to start your own topic than hijacking another user's thread. Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

The ESA is not supposed to activate going into gear and grinding is normal.

As far as the ESA not activating when you push the lever, check the grounds for the ESA module. Do you happen to have an after market electronic ignition on this?

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Grinding is not normal. If you continue to use it like this you will cause severe damage (it may be too late).

 

[a124ave]

I don't know what electronic ignition on this? It was the one on it when I got the boat. I know it has a shift interrupt switch SAE j1171 micro switch located in the "V" of the shift linkage in picture. This is printed rite on the switch I can post picture of righting if needed. I was talking to a friend and was telling him of the problem and he informed me that if I was running motor in Idle position and activate this switch the motor should die for a second. This is suppose to give gears a no torque time to engage. I am just repeating what I was told and figured I would go to the experts on this site to check this out. The symptoms are when I put boat in water and start it up it idles ok but when I try and put in reverse or forward gears grind slightly and I have to sometimes almost force them in. Now this is the same if I am going from forward to reverse of in the opposite direction.

 

[bruceb58]

It is supposed to stumble the engine and is used to disengage the gears going into neutral. it is not needed going into gear and shouldn't even happen going into gear.

What year is your motor? That wil tell you if it started out electronic or originally had points. If it originally had points and they put on an aftermarket electronic module inside the distributor, the ESA won't work without modifications.

A clunking/grinding going into gear is normal. It's just the dog clutch engaging. You do quick shifts to minimize it.

 

[a124ave]

No Title

This distributer does have points, It is a 1986. And looking at it it seems to be original. So Bruce58 you are telling me than if I press switch in attachment when motor is at idle I will not notice any RPM change in motor?

 

[a124ave]

OK guys and gals I did some more questioning and found out that this switch is not active unless you are already in gear. There are switches on shifting handle that get made that lets it know this. Most of you probably already knew this but as I said in beginning I am new to this and learning as I go and looking to members for sound advice and your experience and wisdom

 

[bruceb58]

There are two switches. The one with the arm is the shift switch and the one without the arm is the overstroke switch. When you are FULLY in gear, the overstroke switch prevents the shift switch from working. When you START to take the boat out of gear, the shift switch starts to work. Therefore, you can test the shift switch while you are in neutral to make sure it stumbles

 

[a124ave]

To anyone reading this post here is a schematic that I found of the ignition system on this boat.

 

[bruceb58]

Does it look like this one?
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/83197541/OMC/OMC Cobra Diagrams.pdf

 

[Lou C]

That switch should lower the idle to about 400 rpms from the normal of 600. It does not come into play when shifting into gear at all. Only when shifting from either fwd or rev to neutral and only when the boat is in the water. There has to be resistance on the prop from the water for it to engage. If it's not working it will be difficult to get the boat to shift to neutral and that is dangerous. If you are shifting properly it should not grind; you may feel it clunk or clank into gear but a drawn out grrrrclunk is no good. That is wearing out the dog clutch and the engagement surfaces of the lower gears (fwd & rev). Sounds like you may need a Cobra mechanic to sort it out...

 

[a124ave]

This is section from service manual I found and switch does nothing doing this procedure, I will have to do test with meter as I described in manual. And give you a follow up. The only thing I cant find is so far is how the linkages are suppose to be properly adjusted. Anyone have anything on that?

 

[bruceb58]

That manual you are reading from is not an OEM manual. They are pretty much worthless.