Dash shift cable question

[Utahboatnut]

Cable question on 94 merc 350 mag alpha one gen two. Suspecting my lower shift cable is about too far gone I adjusted a bit to get me through the end of the year. Shifted into forward fine but reverse would engage only to idle but would not throttle up, then would not go back into neutral without considerable force. Thought maybe remote box was messed up but once dash shift cable was disconnected it was smooth as can be. Reconnected dash shift cable and noticed once its put into reverse the dash shift cable at the engine end once its pushed out it looks like this ^ instead of straight like this --- its almost like the cable is pulling out of the barrel end too far and then binds it up thus making it too bound to go back in unless you push on it a bit while sliding remote back into neutral. Is the dash cable toast or could it be coming out too far because of lower shift cable adjustment. Is there a way to test dash shift cable or should I just replace it and the lower shift cable and start with all new? Is it common for the dash shift cable to stretch out as well? Thanks for any insite P.S. it has shifted quite well all season until a week or so ago, thus the lower cable adjustment.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Dash shift cable question

The "adjustment" only works if the lower shift cable is functioning correctly. If its bad (sticking) no amount of adjusting is going to correct the issue. What were the symptoms the triggered the re-adjust?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Dash shift cable question

It started to ratchet a bit going into forward I know the lower shift cable probably needs replacing, but thought I could adjust it a bit just to finish out the season. I didn't know if I should also order a new shift cable that goes from the remote to the engine bracket as its the one that gets a V shape to it once reverse is selected. When I adjusted the lower cable it slid very easy like it had no binding but obviously cant tell how much it has stretched.