Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

[SwampNut]

I've got twin 305 Mercs with Alpha One drives. I've tested both shift switches and they do work (kill the engine). However, shifting continues to be stiff, often very hard, especially when hot (seems to be much easier when we first start the boat). The cables seem to function normally, and the rear portions were just replaced (the drive to linkage cables).<br /><br />Could the switches be intermittent or just not reliable enough? What's a good test to see which part the problem lies in?

 

[qystan]

Re: Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

Could be the upper cable adjustments. <br /><br />If there is a preload on the shifter cable in the neutral position, it will be stiff to shift. <br /><br />This 'preload' can come from the spring loaded shift assist if the upper cable is adjusted too long or short and the pin does not align with the shift assist eye. If the shift assist is pulled or compressed to line up the pin, it will place the preload.<br /><br />The correct cable length should allow the shift assist to fit snugly without having to pull or compress it.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

I'm not fully understanding you, but let me give you what I have...<br /><br />I followed the service manual instructions for cable adjustment, then tweaked it a little in the water. It's adjusted so that the shift into gear happens at the right point in both forward and reverse. This means that it goes into gear by the time the control lever hits the first detent when pushed forward or rearward, and it's about even between them.<br /><br />Also it shifts into gear fine, but getting to neutral is the big issue.

 

[tommays]

Re: Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

just a guess but it sounds like the switches are not adjusted so they kill the motor when your trying to go to netural<br /><br />I Dont know the exact methoid for your drive but do know there is a section in the manual that covers this<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

If it shifts hard going into gear, it's not the shift interrupt switchs.<br />Disconnect the shift cable between the shifter and the engine and have try to shift it. If it moves easy, have a friend hold the engine end of the cable and TRY to prevent if from moving (By hand, visegrips don't count) if he can cause it to be stiff, replace the cable.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

One other thing you might look for. At the shifter, make sure the cables coming out of the shifter itself are not wire tied down tight within about 2 feet of the shifter. The cables have to have room to swing back and forth, if they are tied down tight they will bind and cause stiff throttle and shift.<br />I've seen this happen a lot when a new owner gets the boat and tries to "Tidy Up" the wiring and cables.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser hard shifting, is it the switches?

Have you oiled the pivot points?....JK