I/O died right off the dock

[sdman67]

1976 Mercruiser 233 just out of the shop for a broken shift cable and it dies as soon as I leave the dock. The new shift cable was installed by a professional shop, and it shifted into forward and reverse with ease in the driveway. I launched for a weekend trip and it went into reverse just fine backed away from the dock and it died as soon as I dropped it into forward and wouldn't even turn over after I put it back into neutral. The shops closed until Tuesday and I plan on taking it back to them first thing, but just wanted to get some opinions so I'm not walking into another $500 repair bill for something that should have been addressed in the first place.

 

[Bt Doctur]

not turning over in neutral could be a loose battery cable, neutral safety in the control box . Do you hear any clicking, slave solenoid
Can you locate the slave solenoid and jump the 2 large lugs to see if the starter turns the motor.
Ign fuse under the dash?

 

[sdman67]

I checked the battery it was tight so I dropped the outdrive and hooked it up to water to try the key and I got nothing not even a click. I pushed the neutral button to advance the throttle and low and behold I heard it pop out of gear even though it appeared to be out of gear. I advanced the throttle and she fired right up. A little cleaning and some lube and the button seams to operate better and maybe with a new cable I just need to get reacquainted with her. Anyhow I also installed an LED indicator light to the neutral safety switch so I have a visual as to when I'm in neutral. Thanks for your response Bt Doctur

 

[johnkom]

"...I also installed an LED indicator light to the neutral safety switch so I have a visual as to when I'm in neutral." Ouh. I like the idea of an indicator light for the neutral switch. I'll have to look into doing that for myself.

Thanks.

JK