Won't shift into neutral when hot

[xdgt03]

My shift won't shift into neutral from forward when hot sometimes. Usually if you are gentle with the shift it will shift into nuetral even when hot. It will also not go into reverse once the shift stops working. It feels as if the cable is binding somewhere. I can hear the ESA cutting the spark as I try to force it into neutral or reverse. Eventually if I wiggle it around enough it will go into neutral.

Everything shifts perfectly when I first put it in and crusing around. But after an hour or two this problem usually flares up.

Also, my cable is red so supposedly changed at some point in the not too far past. There aren't a lot of hours on this boat either, and it was fairly well maintained.

Is this most likely a cable problem or a shift handle problem. It does feel pretty loose up there in the control and it doesn't move in and out of neutral (sliding the control handle in and out) all that well. Is that relatively easy to take apart and fix/grease up, etc...?

Thanks for any info.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

Howdy,

Just because your cable is RED doesn't mean it's working correctly, it only means that your stern drive has the updated cable. OMC replaced most of them by 1990. It still might be more than 20 years old. If it's internally binding you must replace it. Don't try to "lube" it.

You also might have binding in the mechinsm that moves the shift shaft. You need to remove the drive to inspect (you should remove the drive once a year anyway)


If you do not have an OEM OMC service manual, now would be a good time to get one. Also have a look at the following link.

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/


Regards,


Rick

 

[ChrisHunley]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

Try this: when in forward at barely more than an idol, turn off your ignition and move the lever to nuetral. If it shifts pretty easily into nuetral then you may have a problem with your Shift Assist Module. I got one off ebay for like 30 bucks or so. The connector may be different but for the most part as long as you get one for your engine (V8, V6, etc), you should be fine.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

Try this: when in forward at barely more than an idol

Is that American Idol or Canadian Idol?



He did say the Esa was working..............

Even if it will shift out of the water OR shift when the engine is off (which completely eliminates the torque on the shift dogs) , the cable could still be corroded enough to need replacing.

It will also move easily (the cable in the sheath) even when corroded when it doesn't have to produce any significant force.....(like when there's no torque)

 

[ChrisHunley]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

Dont know why I didnt see that before, the part on the ESA. lol Sorry about that. I guess American "Idle" would be appropriate. lol Fingers are faster than my brain sometimes. Anyway, good points. I am new to working on boats, mine have all been newer, until this one. So I am just going by what I have experienced.

 

[Greigster]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

Hello
Sorry for 'butting in' on this discussion as my issue is semi-related..
I am about to buy a Coronet 27 with a OMC Cobra 5.7 engine.

The problem with the engine is that it on goes in Reverse and Neutral, -not in Forward.

I am a noob to Engines but have checked the most obvious; that the gearwire is working back'n'forth..

The current owner have ordered a new wire but is there any troubleshooting-tips you can recommend until we receive this new cable?


Best regards from Norway
Greigster

 

[xdgt03]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

It shifts fine out of the water though I have not really run it to hot. Mostly because the tap water running through it not letting it really get up to temp and no load on the lower end.

 

[xdgt03]

Re: Won't shift into neutral when hot

Shift cable replaced and everything works perfectly with the new Delco Voyager distributor.