Neutral Safety Switch on Mercury remote control

[olyerickson]

The neutral safety switch in my Mercury side-mount remote control (looks like MERC 881170A 1) is giving me troubles.

Symptom is that its sporadically acting like it's in F/R when in N, probably 1 out of 5 starts. I can "fix" the problem by moving the shifter (in, then out of gear) or hitting the base of the controller. Annoying, since the marina "fixed" this for me last summer, worked great until a month or so ago. This is a 2004 and I shouldn't be having these problems!

I opened the controller last night and could see (a) the switch isn't loose, and (b) there are possible alignment issues between the wiper (on the shifter) and the microswitch. I can see how any "play" whatsoever can "open" the circuit.

One final question: I hear clicking. Which makes me wonder: Have I diagnosed it correctly" Replaced the solenoid 3-4 yrs ago with new...

Thanks!

John

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Neutral Safety Switch on Mercury remote control

What type of micro-switch was in there? Did it have a long metal arm actuator or just a little button?

If it has the long metal arm type then you can bend the arm to compensate for any misalignment. If it's just the button type, then its not so easy to adjust. You could try loosening the mounting screws for the switch and then shove the switch tight as possible towards the actuator then re-tighten the screws. Might get enough movement in the switch, might not.

Another approach would be to remove the switch and spray it liberally (soak it) with electrical contact cleaner and repeatedly operate the switch manually to try and clean the "maybe" dirty internal contacts.

As for the clicking sound, where are you hearing it from?