88 Cobra 2.3...Are my gears broken???

[desertmike]

While on the muffs everything shifted fine with a few clicks coming from the ESA switch area. There were more clicks in forward than in reverse. Took it to the lake this morning and reverse clunks in nice and easy. When I go to forward it didn't want to go. The throttle lever was not binding it's like it didn't want to catch. After going in reverse a little and trying forward some more it eventually went into gear and stayed there. Stopped and fished and it happened again. I am wondering if the gears are actually broken then will it not go into forward at all??? Hopefully my issue is just a cable or esa deal but I don't want to take it in if my gears are broken because then I will have to pay for the labor anyways. If the forward gear is broken then I will just sell the boat as is with broken first gear and take the best offer. Hopefully this posting made sense. Thank you in advance for any insight.

Man...this sucks

 

[Don S]

Re: 88 Cobra 2.3...Are my gears broken???

Sounds to me like your lower shift cable is either out of adjustment or worn out inside causing excess movement (aka slop) which prevents the cable from moving far enough to get both forward and reverse.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 88 Cobra 2.3...Are my gears broken???

This is always the problem I had when my lower shift cable was going out oon my Cobra.

Also make sure you have removed as much "lost motion" out of your entire shift setup. This includes making sure your controller isn't worn and that the shift cable from the controller back to the engine is tie wrapped in place so that the whole cable housing does not move.

I would not run your boat anymore until you correct your problem or you will need new dog clutches.

 

[desertmike]

Re: 88 Cobra 2.3...Are my gears broken???

Thank guys...I called my shop and they said it would cost about 100 to adjust the cable etc....but I imagine if I need a new shift cable then that is going to be considerably more. Doing it myself is not an option but i don't want to get rolled at the shop either. The shop was suggesting that the cables need adjusting....from what you are saying it sounds like a worn shift cable. I guess i will have to take it in and let them keep it as collateral until I pay it off . Thanks again guys

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 88 Cobra 2.3...Are my gears broken???

The list price for a new cable is around $170. I would imagine it would take 3 hours or so for them to replace it including adjustments. While the drive is off you could have them check the gimbal bearing and u-joints.