1999 90 hp merc force - engine dying in neutral

[scottdw]

engine starts fine , revs up with throttle BUT<br />as soon as as i drop it back to neutral to engage the gears-- engine stops - instantly. which i rule out fuel. starts right back up. Makes it impossible to go forward/backword when i can't go into neutral. It was suggested that it might be a bad kill switch. Don't know. Am I heading in the right or wrong direction????? Help

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: 1999 90 hp merc force - engine dying in neutral

it should never start in anything BUT nuetral!<br />bad mojo, chewing gears etc.<br />it's called a "neutral safety switch" I belive.<br />it's in the control box.

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: 1999 90 hp merc force - engine dying in neutral

Scott- The kill switch probably is not your problem, unless there are bad wires in your control unit. Thr motor starts easy, idles fine, and you can rev it up using the throttle warm up lever. and it dies when you bring the warm up lever down and try and go into forward. Is this correct? If so your idle is probablly to low or your carberator is not set right. Not sure on your motor, but suggest you invest in a manual.<br /> Good Luck<br /> Rick

 

[EatMoreFish]

Re: 1999 90 hp merc force - engine dying in neutral

I had one that would do that when the plugs started getting dirty. come to think of it it did it when it broke a ring also.<br />first pull check and replace the plugs if needed<br />check for good fire to each plug<br />check for compression

 

[trollhole]

Re: 1999 90 hp merc force - engine dying in neutral

my 96 force 90 did the same thing. I fixed it by decarbing and new plugs. Now I decarb every 5 or 6 trips. Just because it's a force and it needs more tlc than other outboards.