Alpha 1 not shifting into forward

[JK Turtle]

I have a '10 Tahoe Q5 with the 4.3L Mercruiser and just took it out for the first time in about 4 months. Last year it started to have problems with it shifting into forward, and now its way worse. It shifts into reverse just fine, but forward takes some time before it engages. I am some what new to boats, and not completely sure how all of it works. Sometimes it grinds a little before engaging, and sometimes it just rev's up with no grinding. What should I look at first? Is this a common problem and some what of an easy fix, or is it very complicated?

 

[alldodge]

I have a '10 Tahoe Q5 with the 4.3L Mercruiser and just took it out for the first time in about 4 months. Last year it started to have problems with it shifting into forward, and now its way worse. It shifts into reverse just fine, but forward takes some time before it engages. I am some what new to boats, and not completely sure how all of it works. Sometimes it grinds a little before engaging, and sometimes it just rev's up with no grinding. What should I look at first? Is this a common problem and some what of an easy fix, or is it very complicated?

Sounds like you need to adjust your lower shift cable, and if it doesn't improve you will need to replace it.

At the top of this section is the Adults only. In there is the Mercruiser section and then video section. Here is a direct link to achris video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_tgevX2aI&feature=youtu.be

 

[thumpar]

Most likely you will need to replace the lower shift cable but you can try to adjust it first to see if that will fix it.

 

[CT River Runner]

I've gotten lucky sometimes where I was able to shim up the shift shoe in the lower unit. It was low, still catching, but not all the way up into the shift lever. I used stainless washers to get it about an 1/8" higher to where it fit prefect. Then I adjusted the shift cable and it worked perfect. I wouldn't have to start the boat To check its engagement. I would turn it clockwise and I can feel and hear it clunk over the gears. Then I would put the boat in reverse and spin it counter clockwise and feel the same pressure and loudness of the clunk. When your in drive you should be not be able to spin the prop counter clockwise. It should lock right in perfectly. Vise versa for reverse

 

[Fun Times]

Sometimes it grinds a little before engaging, and sometimes it just rev's up with no grinding.

On the alpha drives, it's best to shift into and out of gear briskly so you don't grind the gears in the drive.

Does it seem to go into gear as you start to move the throttle handle more forward? The video from aChris linked above should help either solve the problem or help tell you if there something else still not right.

Also be sure that the nut on the shift cable plate assembly is backed off enough so that the washer is able to spin.. If the nut is too tight, it will effect the shifting in unusually ways. The nut is mentioned around the 2:10 mark of the following video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYn7VJ2y7fI

Good luck.