Alpha 1 Gen 2 shift question

[Stinnett21]

I'm trying to troubleshoot a shift issue with my alpha 1 gen 2. Question: Is it possible to have a remote shift cable (the one from the helm to the engine) measure within spec (3 inches plus/minus 1/8 inch) and still be bad? Mine is 24 years old with 1,750 hours but still measures good.

 

[alldodge]

Normally the throttle shift cable doesn't go bad because the throttle just moves a tad more to complete the shift. What kind of shift problem are you having?

 

[Stinnett21]

Engine: 2002 Merc 5.0 MPI, SN: 0M345638
Drive: 2002 Alpha 1 Gen 2, SN: 0M424120
I had a new shift cable installed this spring along with bellows, trim pucks etc. Got lazy and paid a shop to do the work because I'm 66 and figured this would be my last go round. It was fine early in the season, all was shifting well. Now I get this message on vessel view mobile and the motor is stumbling and slowly stalling at idle. The other day I re-did all the shift adjustments, I followed exactly what Chris does in his YT video. The interrupt plunger is in the middle of notch in all 3 gear positions, at least is when sitting on the trailer. Today I ran it on muffs and things seemed good although I thought I heard a faint stumble or two. Took it to the ramp and no luck, still slowly dying at idle. Won't respond to throttle in neutral when this starts happening.

 

[Fun Times]

Your probably going to want to perform the test on page 3 of 3 jumping the shift switch,

V6 AND V8 GMEFI WITH NO START, ENGINE MISS-FIRE OR ENGINE SHUT-OFF CONDITIONS | Service Bulletin | Crowley Marine

25-JUN-2003 - Manufacturer Service Bulletin: V6 AND V8 GMEFI WITH NO START, ENGINE MISS-FIRE OR ENGINE SHUT-OFF CONDITIONS

www.crowleymarine.com

If the test appears to fix the issue, let us know…. Hint, be prepared tool wise to temporarily remove the complete shift plate assembly off of the engine and go for another test run there after to see if the problem seems better with the wire harness connector re-connected. Vibration may be part of the issue on this one.

 

[Stinnett21]

Thanks for the reply Fun Times. I'll replace the cap/rotor. I've done it before, pretty easy job. Concerning the jumper wire, the SB confuses me. Why does it say if the wire fixes the problem it's the interrupt switch then says to replace the ECM, not the interrupt switch? The ECM is NLA correct?