no reverse - adjusting shift cable

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Sorry just got up and having coffee. There are barrels on the throttle same as on the engine side that hold the throttle cable in the shifter securley. I have seen these Break enough to allow the cable to slide somewhat and this would cause the cable not to travel the full distance you are refering to. It may just be the cable adjusment on the engine side. Remove the barrels from the retainer. slide the shift control into reverse by hand on the engine.Now put your shifter into reverse.Then adjust the barrel so that the cable from the barrel hole reaches the engine shifter srew that holds the cable to it. Then replace the barrels and retest to see if you have fowards neutral and reverse. if not check the shifter side for damaged barrel. and or get a new shifter cable

 

[ax1lla]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Thanks - I will definitely check that out. However, because the prop is locked when I shift it by hand, that would indicate I have a problem other than a stretched cable. What does the locked prop indicate and what would be a next troubleshooting step for it? Something in the lower unit?

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

there could be something in the cowel restricting the shifter from going all the way forwards.

 

[Gomer50]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

When in forward the prop spins one way and rachets the other way,when in neutral free spin both ways,when in reverse the prop is locked both ways.Your lower unit is working properly.I would recommend before messing with the barrels to adjust the cable.I would drop the lower unit make sure she is set in neutral.Put Merc. control box in neutral check to see on your motor where the slider mech/cable is located.On my motor the cable is from looking at the motor from the back it is about 2 inches from the back of the slider = neutral.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Good luck

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

The prop should spin one way in reverse with a ratchet sound click click click, and lock in the other direction.

That is completely wrong. What you just described is FWD gear. When in REV, prop is locked both directions. You need to be sure of the information you provide here. False or wrong information only serves to confuse everyone.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Eye Eye Sir I agree!!! I have scince removed the wrong information pertaining to the wrongly posted information, and have sent a private message to the poster stating that the information given was wrong. I have also corrected the information as "stated the prop will lock in both directions when in reverse".Sir. Thank you for your attention in this dyer matter.Sir. I will try harder not to give knowingly or unknowingly the wrong imformation. Sir.

 

[ax1lla]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Again, I really appreciate all the advice and help I'm getting. I'm going to try to start the boat with the throttle and ****fer cable detached and manually put it into gear (at engine) and see if the prop works correctly. If so, then i will try adjusting the cable it to see if that resolves the issue. Will let you all know the results soon.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

I made a mistake on yesterdays post and sent you a notification indicating the wrong advise was given. go to your inbox for that message. The mistake was that the prop will lock in both directions when in reverse and that no damage is done to your lower unit.

 

[ax1lla]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

yep i got it, np at all.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Maxz695, didn't mean to come across like an SOB. I like most members here have learned along the way with help from these forums and its members. I sometimes forget that fact. What got to me was that the OP asked a question, I clarified a misunderstanding he had about the operation of the gears, and still misinformation kept getting tossed into the discussion, to no ones benefit. I'll try to be more diplomatic in the future.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Believe me I do understand that others also read these posts on this forum. I did make a post that could have caused harm not only to the poster but also anyone taking the information as a fact instead of possible information based on limited knowledge. Not only has your attention to the post made me more aware of what I do post, but also it has corrected a statement that would have otherwise gone unrecognized. Being that I have only been posting on this site for a week. With many problems of my own {GOD KNOWS) I try to do my best to help others on there quest to learn and share there experiences with others as well. I thank you for your understanding. I appreciate your commitment to the same. Sir Replies: 31
Views: 395

 

[ax1lla]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Again, thanks for all the help Maxz695/everyone!

So, I removed the throttle cable and just pulled it out so that I could more easily work with the shift cable. I adjusted it a ton and even with the remoted control lever in reverse, the cable didn't reach the....(not sure what to call it...) shifting slider thing (the thing that slides and actually puts it in gear etc.). So, I thought that was odd.

Also, the control lever only goes back about 25 degrees at most. Is that normal? Meaning, is it supposed to come back all the way (a full 90 degrees)?

Anyway, after adjusting it, putting the lever back to neutral, and connecting the shifter cable back (loosely) without the throttle cable connected back yet - it pushes the shifting slider thing back a little further but still not enough to engage reverse.

Is the next step to disasemble the control box? Is that easy enough to do? It didn't seem like it was pulling apart at all, so I wanted to make sure I'm not gonna screw anything up by pulling it apart (assuming I even can).

As always, thanks!

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

sent reply notification to your message Yes I beleive it,s time to look at the cable connections and see if the throttle housing may be cracked or something

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

ax1lla, I just re-read your first post with this problem and you stated your shifter control was not going back far enough. I'm now wondering if the problem may be in your control box. With the cable disconnected does the lever go back any farther?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

If you are using a MerControl unit, the throttle handle is attached to the throttle/shift cams inside by a splined shaft. It is possible that a previous owner has removed the throttle handle and reinstalled it in an "offset" position. The result would be further travel in the FWD direction and less travel in the REV direction. As well, the neutral position would then be forward of the straight up position.

This is a feature of the control that permits it to be installed in orientations other than horizontal.

If you decide to take the control apart, do it slowly and in stages and take photos of how it is put together. It is somewhat of an intricate operation of cams, detent springs and pins, wiring (which most likely will be in rough shape) etc. I have a link to a service manual and if I can find it I'll post it here.

 

[ax1lla]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Wingedwheel- no, it does not go back further even with the cable disconnected. I just wasnt sure if that's how it's suppose to work or not? Now that I know it's not so easy to take apart the control box, I'm very hesitant...I don't want to get In a situation where my boating season is over because I can't figure out how to put it back together. I wonder how much it would cost to get it looked at/fixed assuming that's the problem....

 

[Maxz695]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

If you cannot get the slider on the engine to go fully back and engage reverse without the cable attached then it,s not the throttle is the cam more than likely on the shifter shaft down in the LU>Remove the unit relpace the cam if bad/ as far as the thrpttle is is a single or couble handle throttle?

 

[carholme]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Ax1lla;

In post #37, you had the cable disconnected and the shift shaft all the way to the reverse position. This is the point where you should now check the prop to see if you are in gear or not.

Therefore, with both cables disconnected:

Have someone hold the shift shaft all the way back and then see if the prop is locked when you gently try to turn it either way CW or CCW. You don't have to force it, just feel if it will turn either way. If it does not turn either way, you are in Reverse.

Have the same person now push the shift shaft all the way forward and hold it there. Now gently check the prop again and it should not turn CCW. If it does not turn CCW, you are in Forward.

Have the other person move the shift shaft to the middle of it's travel and hold it there. Check the prop again and it should move freely in either direction, If it does, this is Neutral.

If it works exactly as above, then you have verified that the LU is installed correctly and working as it should.

This is what the shift shaft looks like:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/463_17.cfm

Item 17 is the upper shift shaft and you can see the link, item 20, which the cable connects to.

I cannot see in these posts if you have the parts listing or a service manual. If not, what is your engine s/n? you should have the parts listing so you know what things look like.

The control box is a separate issue and we can get you all the information you need for it, parts and overhaul but the first thing is to make certain that the LU is OK.

Let us know what you find with the checks above, then you can proceed logically to the next step.

Gerry

 

[ax1lla]

Re: no reverse - adjusting shift cable

Hi Gerry,

Yes, when I had the shift cable disconnected at the engine I was able to successfully shift it into reverse, neutral, and forward (prop did what it was suppose to do). Based on your above reply, this should mean i can rule out a lower Unit issue (yay!).

So, based on all of the advice and troubleshooting from everyone here, it seems i can narrow it down to two things:

1. Throttle control box
2. Bad shift cable

When I had the shift cable disconnected I pulled the lever all the way back on the control box and pullled the cable back as far as I could to the shifter slider thing (not sure what it's called, but the part that actually slides forward and back and puts it into gear). It didn't come very close to reaching. So, I don't know if this tells me it's a bad cable or something in the control box? I'm THINKING the control box is the issue because with the cable disconnected, the control lever still didn't go very far back......

Thanks again for all the help everyone.