Alpha Gen 2 Stalls Going to Neutral (Shift Cable Replaced)

[RMassa187]

Hello. My Alpha Gen 2 stalls going out of gear into neutral. Shifting into gear is smooth and normal. The lower cable has been replaced. Upper and lower cable adjustment is correct and been done a few times to verify that its right. Lower cable shifts the drive easily and smoothly by hand. The shift assist seems strong in both directions and the interrupt switch plate moves freely. Could the spring for the interrupt plate be weak? The engine is a 1997 model year 5.7 2bbl. Don't have the serial available, but I believe its a 0K..... number.

 

[Stinnett21]

Is the cut out plunger in the center of the notch? Spray lube all pivot points. How old is the cut out switch?

 

[RMassa187]

Is the cut out plunger in the center of the notch? Spray lube all pivot points. How old is the cut out switch?

The switch is centered in the notch. Everything moves smoothly and easily by hand. Original shift plate and switch. The switch seems to work as it should though. It just takes too long and the interrupt kills the engine. Was thinking maybe the "V" shaped spring on the interrupt lever was weak?

 

[dubs283]

Was thinking maybe the "V" shaped spring on the interrupt lever was weak?

Its possible that's the case. There is an updated, stiffer spring available from merc but it's more for older alpha/mc1 systems. Most gen 2 setups came with the stiffer v spring from the factory. The newer v spring will have yellow or white paint at the tips

I've had the spring loaded shift assist arm at the remote cable end cause more problems than they solve on certain applications in the past. If you remove the arm and try shifting under a load you may find it working properly or at least better. At that point, make the adjustments without the shift assist in mind, remove the spring guts from the assist housing and reinstall it

 

[Bondo]

The switch is centered in the notch. Everything moves smoothly and easily by hand. Original shift plate and switch. The switch seems to work as it should though. It just takes too long and the interrupt kills the engine. Was thinking maybe the "V" shaped spring on the interrupt lever was weak?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Alphas should be shifted, Briskly,.....

 

[nola mike]

The spring can be bent to change its tension. The shift plate and cables can also bind.

 

[Scott06]

would also pull the drive to make sure the shift swivel shaft and linakge in bellhousing is not corroded or packed with debris causing extra drag.

I ran into this after i replace the bushing on the shaft in the bellhousing bushing wasn't seated fully causing some drag on the arm. extra drag caused interrupt to trip when shifting on land ...

 

[RMassa187]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Alphas should be shifted, Briskly,.....

I realize the quick shifting part because of the cutout. I am shifting briskly due to that.

 

[RMassa187]

The spring can be bent to change its tension. The shift plate and cables can also bind.

The shift plate components are free and move perfectly. To test this I took the cables off and verified nothing is binding. I also shifted the plate manually (engine off) with the cables installed and it shifts smoothly.

 

[RMassa187]

would also pull the drive to make sure the shift swivel shaft and linakge in bellhousing is not corroded or packed with debris causing extra drag.

I ran into this after i replace the bushing on the shaft in the bellhousing bushing wasn't seated fully causing some drag on the arm. extra drag caused interrupt to trip when shifting on land ...

Unfortunately boat is in the water. Lower shift cable feels smooth and easy to push/pull.