merccruiser 120/140 I/O not going into reverse

[nick.wright]

My mercruiser 120/140 won't go into reverse. With the engine off, I pull the throttle into reverse, hand spin the prop, and get nothing but clicking. I can get it to lock into forward by hand. Any ideas?

 

[thunderroad]

Re: merccruiser 120/140 I/O not going into reverse

My 160 was doing that earlier this season. I moved the lower cable upward in it's adjustment slot about 1/4" and now it works. I'm sure there is some wear and slop in my lower cable and I intend to have it changed this offseason but this made it usable for now.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: merccruiser 120/140 I/O not going into reverse

Your shift cable is either out of adjustment or on it's last legs. <br /><br />I have found that these lower unit cables that all of a sudden start needing large adjustments are indeed failing.