Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

[Beacham]

hi there- thanks again for all of the help offered on this forum. you folks have gotten me wired up pretty good.<br /><br />it was pointed out by a tech that the shift interrupt switch on my 1987 evinrude 225 is missing. as far as I can tell, the electrics on this motor were rebuilt by monkeys using household wire and connectors, and consequently, I have replaced just about everything between the battery and spark plugs in the last ten days. literally. the motor runs great and seems to shift out of gear just fine, but I was wondering about people's experiences with and without the shift interrupt gizmo.<br /><br />now the warning you get is that you cannot get your boat out of gear and might crash into the dock, etc etc. oblivious to this, I have put almost ten hours on mine without one. this is not a part I know anything about, and it certainly is not outlined in sealoc. what does it do? how does it work? is it cheap and easy to install? is there a lot of adjustment needed? the tech I saw mentioned that lots of people dont have them, but I would rather be safe (informed) than sorry.<br /><br />thanks again, seahawk in seattle

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

Here's the deal. If the motor idles low enough you don't need one. Obviously your motor idles well and low. I would suggest you get one at some point (sooner than later -- if anything goes wrong it could save a lot of $$$, boatwise and humanwise) but it's great to hear the motor runs that good.

 

[Beacham]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

bump. <br /><br />thanks, admiral. I will look into getting my hands on one. the fact is that the idle is nice and low, but I would much rather have a motor I can take out of gear at a moment's notice, even when RPMs are up. are there any tips for installing this thing? is it just a bolt-on or is there adjustment required?<br /><br />thanks, seahawk

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

The adjustment is outlined in your service manual. Real easy but somewhat critical. No big deal.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

it basically kills the engine momentarily so it can shift without tearing up the gear case.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

I have a 1992 Evinrude 225-HP motor. The shift interrupt switch is a small assembly that fits on the the starboard side of the engine, down low in the cowling, and is actuated by the shift linkage. It is somewhat difficult to see, unless you know where to look for it.<br /><br />The switch is arranged so that it provides a contact closure as the shift lever approaches neutral. The contact closure is carried to the power pack via diode isolators and to the KILL circuit in such a way that if affects only cylinders 1, 3, and 5. It momentarily kills the spark to those cylinder for an instant.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

Actually tashasdaddy the switch operates when shifting out of gear, not into. With the degree of cut on the engagment lugs its rather difficult to shift out of gear. Killing 3 cylinders for a split second makes it come out much easier. Especially if the motor isn't idling down like it should.

 

[Beacham]

Re: Running your engine without the shift interrupt switch

okay, I will get my hands on one of them. again, as long as my idle is low, its not problem for me, but I definitely want to be able to take it out of gear in a hurry if needed. thanks again for all the help and info!