My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

[Sexzee 1]

I have just puchased a used Wellcraft with a Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive.
When I put it in the water and backed away from the boat ramp I discovered I could not get it out of gear. After I cleared the jetty and gave myself some distance from the shore I proceeded to fight with the shifter in an effort to force it into neutral. After much ado I turned the boat off and found when I restarted, it was in neutral. I placed the boat into forawrd gear and it shifted fine only problem is now it wont come out of forward gear. In so many other words, I have to turn the motor off to change gears or get it into neutral.
I read another thread describing a similar problem and its solution pointed to the interruptor switch. I checked mine and it appeared when I cycled the gear selector it did not move the switch arm sufficiently to actuate the switch. I adjusted my cable linkage to ensure the switch arm fully engaged and thought my problem licked. WRONG. When I put the boat in the water to check out my repair I still have the same problem. I could really use some advice as I would like to make this repair myself however I'm stumped on the troubleshooting end of things. I would appreciate any advices my fellow boaters may wish to share.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

Sounds like the lower shift cable is shot, and needs to be replaced. And welcome aboard.

 

[Don S]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

The cable isn't the problem, a bad cable would STOP the engine when you try to shift.
Your shift interrupt switch is probably bad and not interrupting the ignition so it will relieve the pressure off the dog clutch.
Disconnect the switch and do an ohms test and see if it works when activated.

 

[sarantis]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

Disconnect the shift cable and work the cable (pushing and pulling its end) with your hand to check if it slides smoothly.If you feel it hard then it doesn't leave the intermidiate mechanism to energise the cut off switch.Put a friend to change gears and watch the mechanism's behavior.If you tighten your ropes at the dock you can also do your test with the engine running.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

The cable isn't the problem, a bad cable would STOP the engine when you try to shift.
Your shift interrupt switch is probably bad and not interrupting the ignition so it will relieve the pressure off the dog clutch.
Disconnect the switch and do an ohms test and see if it works when activated.

The one time we broke a wire off that switch, it behaved exactly like you describe sarantis.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

Where is that switch located? Just in case it ever happens to me?

 

[sarantis]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

Look for a pair of cables at the aft over the engine and you ' ll find it.Close to the place where the shift cables are attached

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

Thanks sarantis.

 

[Sexzee 1]

Re: My Mercruiser outdrive wont come out of gear unless I turn the engine off

Thank you all for helping point me in the right direction to resolve my problems.
The lower shift cable was the root of the problem. A deteriorated shift cable bellows allowed water intrusion and hence corrosion to affect the sensitive operation of the cable.
I replaced the cable and the bellows, made the cable adjustments with the use of an Alpha Cable Installation and Removal Tool and am happy to say have resolved my problem

Ciao for now