trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

[jdoor]

'97 Four Winns Horizon 180 with Volvo Penta I/O - Occasionally, after cruising around, docking, and shutting off the engine. I have trouble getting the boat back into neutral for starting. Everytime this has happened, I eventually got it into neutral and started, but I'm not sure how. Right now, All I know to do is to keep trying. This problem is a little scary, because the only time this has occurred to me is when I am docked somewhere away from home. What might be causing this problem? Anyone know of a way to prevent this from happening or any tricks to address the situation when it does occur?

 

[vipzach]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

I would check your shift cable, I maybe way off base, but that is the first thing that came to mind.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

Do you really mean you have trouble getting it into neutral or is it that you have to play with the shift control before it will start. I assume you are putting it into neutral before you turn it off, possibly your neutral start switch in your remote controller is going bad or out of adjustment?

 

[jdoor]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

Thanks. A problem with the neutral start switch sounds very possible. You are correct I am putting it into neutral before turning it off. In fact, I have no problems getting it into neutral or into gear while running... Does anyone know what exactly the neutral start switch does, how I could determine if this, in fact, is the problem, and how I might address the problem?

 

[vipzach]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

The neutral safety switch is for your protection. It is like a car that wont start in gear...to keep it from jumping off the trailer when you start it up and throwing off the unsuspecting passangers.

 

[tommays]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

the netural switch prevents the key switch from running the starter UNLESS your in netural<br /><br /><br />thers usally a wireing diagram in the owners book if not you need to get one and check were the power is stoping<br /><br />tommays

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

Had one act up on a 93 Lowe with an OMC control. The switch was on/in the mechanics, controlled by the shift handle. If you trace the wiring you can test the switch by jumping it. Ours turned out to have a bit of rust where the actuator lever attached to the switch. We removed the rust, applied a little WD-40 and were back in action.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

Is there any good reason why it could not also be the key switch in the START position or the starter relay or solinoid contacts on top of the starter or a binding plunger or worn out starter motor brushes?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

cyclops2...you are right, it could be any of those items you mentioned and maybe I jumped the gun but in his first post it seemed like he was having a problem with the control in neutral. I kind of thought he was playing the control until it started which made me think of the neutral start switch.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

I had the same problems with my boat not starting again after shut down until fiddling with the shift lever and neutral button for a while. Pulled the whole shift lever apart, inspected and cleaned everything(there was some really sticky grease in there) and it solved the problem. I think the nuetral switch cam lever was just sticking on occasion to all the crud in there.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: trouble getting boat into neutral for starting

jdoor. Do you get a restart by jiggiling the shift lever in the neutral position and holding the key solidly in the START position? Or jiggiling and clicking the key in and out of the START position? Some other combo works?