Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

[VetteBrett]

I have a 4.3 V6 w/Mer Cruiser outdrive, problem is when lower unit is trimmed up neutral is nonexistant, when I trim it down about half way, you can being to find neutral. This is my first boat and I don't know enough to diagnose the problem without help. What in the throttle cable would be in a bind that would cause the cable to be pinched that would cause it to free up and possibly be able to go into neutral?? I have taken the lower unit out and everything seems fine with it so I believe it has to be near the hull or in the upper part of the out drive?? Any ideas would be appreciated to see what I can do to get this boat in the water before the year is out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

What year and what drive?

You may need a shift cable. It goes from the engine to the drive on any Mercruiser.

 

[VetteBrett]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

The boat is a 1991 Chaparral 4.3 V6 18 ft, out drive is the original one on the boat. I am not sure if it is an Alpha or Bravo??

 

[Don S]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

It would be a 91, that was a change over year for Mercruiser, could be either an Alpha I or an Alpha I Gen II .......... or even a Bravo.
You have to tell us what you have before we can tell you how to fix it.
Got a drive serial number? It's located on the port side of the drive in the decal on the side.

 

[VetteBrett]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

Serial number that I can find is OU326956, this number is on the out drive unit on the left side right above the lower unit. Is this the right one??

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

problem is when lower unit is trimmed up neutral is nonexistant,

Ayuh,.....

It's Not designed to be run in the Full Up position.....

If you are running it in the Full Up position,.... You've been doing Damage....

 

[Don S]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

That's the right location for the number however, the U in that SN is wrong. Merc never used the letter U in the serial numbers. Give it another look and see what it actually is.

 

[VetteBrett]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

I was mistaken, the boat is a 90 model with that serial number.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

Try this one more time.

the U in that SN is wrong. Merc never used the letter U in the serial numbers. Give it another look and see what it actually is.

 

[VetteBrett]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

The only other option is the U is possible a D in the serial number, the area is to tore up to take a real good picture of it, but here it is anyway. Thanks for the help.

[/IMG]

 

[Don S]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

It's an OD them that makes sense, and it's an Alpha I drive. Still think you have cable problems. Disconnet the lower shift cable at the engine and see if you can shift it into and out of gear with the engine trimmed up. (Engine OFF)
Here is a link to the online manual for your drive.
It may help.

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[pappacherry]

Re: Can not Find Neutral w/Throttle??

Sounds like you need new cables.