OMC Cobra ESA/Shift interrupt

[matcor9925]

I've got a 1987 Winner bowrider with a 4.3 V6 OMC Cobra I/O and it takes a lot of force to shift into neutral from forward or reverse while running the boat on the lake.

Here's what I've checked so far:

- With the boat out of the water (not running) it is very easy to shift from forward or neutral into reverse and vice versa (no cable drag)
- When running the boat at the lake, I do not hear the motor hesitate/stall when shifting into neutral (ESA not engaging)
- When running the boat on muffs I can press the ESA switch with my finger and it works fine (engine hesitates/stalls)
- Transom shift bracket cable adjustment is per specs from OMC manual (7 5/8" from cable jacket to mount point on engine)
- Transom shift bracket cable is red. I think that means that it is not affected by the shift cable recall prevalent on this model out drive?
- When moving the throttle control from forward to reverse (boat out of water/not running), the "Y" bracket never makes contact with the ESA switch

I've attached a picture: "B" is the switch I press with my finger to manually operate the ESA. "A" is the Y bracket that never makes contact with the ESA switch ("B") when moving the throttle controls.

My question is - Is the resolution as simple as bending out the arm on the ESA switch so it makes contact with the Y bracket or is something else out of whack? Everything else on the boat works flawlessly. I appreciate any input that y'all have. Thanks!

 

[matcor9925]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA/Shift interrupt

Update:

I went out and tilted the outdrive up as high as I could to inspect the red transom bracket shift cable where it mounts to the starboard side of the outdrive and cosmetically it looks like it is in really good shape (no damage, sheath not pulling away, etc.).

I was looking at another forum post by wcasey5 (great "how to" post if you're looking to replace your shift cable): http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=549436 and noticed his ESA switch has a bead on the spring "arm" that rests in the notch on the Y bracket - my ESA switch has no bead. Do all of the ESA springs have a "bead"?

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA/Shift interrupt

I just looked at your picture.. and yes, your switch arm is missing the end that rides in the V Notch... without it, it's not working brother!

 

[matcor9925]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA/Shift interrupt

Do you know of any outfit/company that can provide that end piece? I haven't been able to find anything yet without having to buy the whole module. I may end up calling the dealer or trying to "rig something" up as a last resort.

 

[wcasey5]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA/Shift interrupt

thanks for the great review! If you go to radioshack, you can get a microswitch with a roller lever for less than $5. Cut the roller off and jb-weld it to the existing activation lever. Its worth a shot. My Cobra is still shifting great!