Mercruiser shifting question

[webbie]

Hi I have 1985 Mercruiser 260 I/O. I am currently out of water on blocks. With engine off and control all forward or all reverse the prop locks as it should. All cables operate as they should, or so it seems, and cut off switch seems to be correct in cable positions. With engine running on muffs it stalls shifting into forward or reverse from nuetral. However if I disconnect the cut off switch it will shift in forward and reverse. Is this because the boat needs to be in water so there is resistence at the prop? Or do I have other problems I should look into? I would appreciate any input Thanks, Jeff

 

[180shabah]

Re: Mercruiser shifting question

Lower shift cable is bad.

On muffs the shift interrupt should do NOTHING, when in the water there is resistance that causes the cable to flex when shifting out of gear and tripping the switch.

 

[webbie]

Re: Mercruiser shifting question

Thanks for you reply 180 shabah. I will order new lower cable. I'm still confused as to why it shifted when I disconnected the shift interrupt switch though.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser shifting question

Thanks for you reply 180 shabah. I will order new lower cable. I'm still confused as to why it shifted when I disconnected the shift interrupt switch though.

Go up to the technical section at the head of this forum, and read #4 How shift interrupt works. Splains everything

 

[webbie]

Re: Mercruiser shifting question

Thanks for your reply Terry. I now have a better understanding of how the switch works. Binding cable it must be.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Mercruiser shifting question

Make sure you get the gaskets/o-rings you ned to pull the drive.