OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

[Manipulator]

From time to time my boat will not start. I mean no juice to the starter. Turn the key and nothing. Gauges are getting juice as is everything else. It's intermittent and did it a few times last year and that was it. Now it's doing it more frequently. I was stranded in a cove over the weekend for a few hours:^. I then started moving the shifter and tapping it and it fired.8) Do I need a new shifter assembly? Or can I take it apart and fix it? I imagine there is a safety switch in there. Is there a way to bypass it? Until I get it fixed?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

I had the same problem and adjusted the micro switch position.

I wouldn't bypass this switch. It would let you start your engine in gear.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

I know, it's just a temporary solution until I get it fixed. This switch you talk of, where is it?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

In your shift control.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

OK. Is this a pretty easy job? I don't want to screw the cables up. I have 3 screws that hold the shifter to the boat. It feels like there is a large box in back that the shifter goes into. I imagine this box can be opened somehow. Any thoughts?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

Easy depends on your mechanical ability and the design of the shifter. For mine it was fairly easy.

You won't screw the cables up. Worst possibility is that you won't be able to get your control box back together again.

Is this shifter the original 1983 shifter? If so, I would just by a new shifter.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

my shifter is the original OMC shifter. OK, I probably will buy a new one, will just about any shifter work? I have power trim. How can I bypass the safety so I at least can use the boat to the end of the season and then fix it over the winter. Mechanical ability is not a problem for me. I probably could take that shifter apart no problem. But since it is the original I should replace it. I hate the damn bulky thing anyway. Its clunky and sticks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

I don't reccomend doing that.

You will have one wire coming from the ignition switch that goes to the neutral switch. The other wire comes from the neutral switch and heads back to the engine. You would have to find those two wires and jumper them.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

I know it's not a good idea but its only temporary. Besides, I'm the only one using the boat so chances of an accident are slime. Thanks for your help.

 

[pissedriteoff]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

try just putting in reverse and then nuetral. i have same issue and that works. will get you thru summer

 

[pissedriteoff]

Re: OMC shift assembly safety switch....failing??

From time to time my boat will not start. I mean no juice to the starter. Turn the key and nothing. Gauges are getting juice as is everything else. It's intermittent and did it a few times last year and that was it. Now it's doing it more frequently. I was stranded in a cove over the weekend for a few hours:^. I then started moving the shifter and tapping it and it fired.8) Do I need a new shifter assembly? Or can I take it apart and fix it? I imagine there is a safety switch in there. Is there a way to bypass it? Until I get it fixed?