Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

[mcnam1]

I just paid $3K to have the Mercruiser Alpha One I/O drive on the 15 year old 'free' bayliner my sister gave me completely rebuilt. (She left the plug in over winter and it filled with water). Anyway, I took the boat out into the bay yesterday and suddenly it won't shift into forward.

It shifts into reverse fine but won't shift back into nuetral from there (unless I turn it off - then it goes back to nuetral).

I'm in a marina with no launch ramp, so I just want to get back across the bay to pull the boat out and take it back to the shop. But I'd rather not cross the bay in reverse the whole time!

Is there anyway to manually shift into forward? e.g. Can I unhook the remote control shift cable and push the shift assembly into forward?

Or is there a way to adjust the shift assembly myself on the water to get it to shift into forward?

 

[meesh]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Yes, you can disconect the cable at the cut out switch and shift it manually.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

For adjustment, look here: Start on page 86 http://www.perfprotech.com/store/app_themes/ppt/images/tech-specs/alpha-shift-adjust.pdf Good luck.

 

[mcnam1]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Thanks! Quick check: I assume the throttle should be in the forward position - at the click where it normally should engage - when I have a friend manually shift at the engine - correct?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Naw, just Disconnect the forward cable,+ try shifting the lower cable...
Do it all at the shift switch...

 

[mcnam1]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Dissassembled and tried to shift into forward manually. I'm able to shift into reverse, but when cable is pushed in there is no engagement. It seems like the cable is able to pull, but not push. Is there a way to get this into a forward gear without pulling it out of the water?

I'd rather not cross the bay in reverse!

Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Can the marina put you on the trailer
Can you get a tow across
If it was tested ok prior to launch then either something broke or came apart.Only way to find out is pull the drive.By the way ,you could have bought 2 new drives for that rebuild price

 

[mcnam1]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

That's what I was afraid of.... No trailer or ramp at this marina. Looks like a long drive in reverse. Anyone want to buy a Bayliner? I really appreciate the help.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Don't know if it will work, but maybe the marina that did the work will let you borrow a left hand prop, so you can get it back to them to fix. Seems like for that money they should be accommodating. Good luck.

 

[mud1070]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Had the same problem this weekend. I tried adjusting the cable all the way forward and all the way back, with no luck. Then put the outdrive all the way up and tried engaging to forward. It worked! I am not sure why, but made it back to the dock. Anyone know what the problem would be?
I noticed that it was shifting easier than normal just before would not engage to forward.

I just put a new alpha 1 from SEI, new shift cable and the works, 2 seasons ago.

 

[rcdriver11]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One won't shift to forward. Can I manually shift it?

Had the same problem this weekend. I tried adjusting the cable all the way forward and all the way back, with no luck. Then put the outdrive all the way up and tried engaging to forward. It worked! I am not sure why, but made it back to the dock. Anyone know what the problem would be?
I noticed that it was shifting easier than normal just before would not engage to forward.

I just put a new alpha 1 from SEI, new shift cable and the works, 2 seasons ago.

I am having this exact issue right now. Goes into reverse and engages fine. Won't engage in drive, but if I raise the drive all the way up it engages and will stay engaged.
Can anyone help me figure this out??