Mercruiser dies going into reverse

[merc200]

HELP!! Got the 1977 Mercruiser 165 out of storage yesterday. Installed the battery, vaccumed, greased the lower unit splines, u-joints, and greased the trailer. Took it out to the lake for a test. Started right up and run great. Put it into reverse to back off the trailer, and it died. Tried again to no avail. Put it into forward and it works just fine. It just dies going into reverse. It wasn't doing this last year. So home I went and got out the old Seloc manual and worked from 9 to midnight trying to adjust the cables so the shift interrupt would not trip going into reverse. I got it so that it is real close to not tripping the switch. I have read other posts on the matter and they say to replace the lower shift cable. But, I just replaced mine in the spring of 04 and it still moves easily by hand from forward to reverse. So I'm thinking that's not the problem. I used the Seloc method to adjust the cables and also tried the mercstuff.com/images/shiftcable.jpg method. The mercstuff method worked much better and that is how I have it set now. I am going to try it out in the water after work tonight to see if it is close enough to work. The frustrating thing is that the unit is locked fully into forward and reverse; it is just the matter of getting that interrupt switch to work right. Please help! Thanks.

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

I just logged on today to find out the answer to this very question.

I have a 2002 Sea Ray 176BR and I just thought it was cold natured, but it has to warm up for what seems like a long time on the trailer before it will run when shifting into reverse. It is frustrating to have this happen.

So, what's the secret. How can I keep this from happening?

 

[bigbobbyb]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

Hello,

I had this same problem with a 1986 Mercruiser (260hp with Alpha) that I owned. Sometimes stalled when shifting into reverse....which progressed to always stalling when shifting in reverse....whether engine was hot or cold.

I ended up replacing the lower shifting cable and resolved the issue (the cable casing was rotted/rusted thru right where it passed out to the outdrive), but the mechanic I discussed the issue with told me to remember that "if a butterfly landed" on the cable, the shift interupter would shut the engine off. The point being that the setup it is extremely sensitive.

I don't know if this will help you, but I thought it would be a good piece of advice to pass along.

Good luck.

Bob

 

[merc200]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

I just can't imagine it is my lower shift cable......I just replaced it three years ago and it moves easily by hand. I was thinking maybe I could rig up a overide switch I could flip just when I want to go into reverse. That would allow me to go into reverse at least. Thanks for your help!

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

For the first time yesterday, I also noticed that it was hard to shift into neutral from reverse. I was in reverse while moving around waiting on the trailer to be backed down the ramp and I went to shift into neutral and it stayed in reverse. I messed with it a bit and got it into neutral. I think it did it one other time as well. This is the first time I have had experience with this. Are these two issues related to the shift cable or are they two separate issues.

This is a Mercury 3.0 with 53 hours on it.

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

merc200.
Your problem is probably a bad lower shift cable or the bushing for the shift staft in the drive bellhousing is stiff.
The shift interrupt switch shouldn't operate at all going into gear, so something is binding. You also need to check it when the engine is running. If the clutch dogs in the drive are on a high spot, it will always activate when going into gear with the engine not running.

bigmacfan
While you have basically the same thing, you have an Alpha I Gen II drive, not a Merc one drive.
Best to start a thread of your own, even if you do have the same kind of problem, some procedures will be different.

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

I will start a thread of my own. Sorry! Don't know enough to know the differences in the engines.

Thanks for your help!

 

[merc200]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

Thanks Don S- If my water test after work fails, I will remove my lower unit again and inspect things.

 

[merc200]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

Well, took it to the lake and it still died going into reverse. Then, I went back home and removed the lower unit and inspected everything. Unhooked the lower shift cable inside and it slid very easily back and forth by hand. I went ahead and spray WD40 on all the moving parts, then reassembled. Back to the lake I went and WALA! it worked. I have no idea what I did but it works fine now. The only problem now is that I'm already tired of boating and I haven't even went out to enjoy it yet!!!! Oh well.

 

[rob85546]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

I have a 87 sea ray with the 3.0 and last summer mine was doing it, but when it warmed up the reverse worked fine... now took it out last week and it died when put into reverse even when warmed up.. it does seem that it should be smoother when going in reverse.

 

[Coors]

Re: Mercruiser dies going into reverse

Seloc
Bondo is good friends with Kevin.
Bondo can help you when he comes in.