Shift Interrupt Switch

[Cajundave10]

95 Mercruiser 5.0L Alpha One Gen 2

I have had significant issues with the boat dying when being shifted into reverse. Also, I was having a hard time actually engaging reverse gear and when it was engaging it was grinding/clunking once in gear(only in reverse).

Tonight I checked the specs on the upper and lower shift cable and found them to be up to recommended specs. I then adjusted the mounting stud on the lower shift cable to a higher elevation and found the spot where it cleanly engaged the drive in reverse. The problem is is that about 5 out of 10 times the shift interrupt switch engages also when I put it into neutral and it kills the engine.

I decided to disconnect the wire coming from the switch and I am getting super smooth shifts into forward and reverse now and the engine is not dying.

My questions are:

1-am I putting my engine in danger by disconnecting this switch?

2-From the above symptoms would you think I need a new lower shift cable, or a new shift interuppter switch?

3- are there any adjustments I can make the the actual switch itself to make it operate better?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Yer puutin' yer entire boat, 'n the rest of the boats in the marina at risk,....
It won't come outa gear in the water without the switch hooked up,....

Ya need a new lower shift cable,...

 

[Cajundave10]

Thanks for getting back with me.

While changing the lower shift cable would anyone suggest I change anything else out besides the water impeller and gear oil? Bellows?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Considerin' all those pieces age at 'bout the same rate, Ya,...

I do All the rubber replaceable stuff at the same time,...
If ya use the trim limit, 'n sender, I'd do them too,...

 

[Rick Stephens]

Not a thing to add. Bondo +1