Shift interrupter adjustment link

[Ryan H]

Does anyone know a link for how to adjust the shift interrupter on a 1979 165hp Mercruiser I/O.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

it's not a straight fwd procedure. go to the adults only sticky at the top of the i/o page. go to #9 and get your service manual. #3 (engine) and #4 (drive) i think. confirm by serial number for correct manual. in that manual is the proper method of adj. these cables..

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

Are you having a problem of some sort or installing a new cable? That system doesn't just fall out of adjusment.

 

[Ryan H]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

Yes, the problem was that I could not get the boat into forward gear without stalling and then the boat would not restart for some time. Some of the advice I have received has lead me to the shift interrupter adjustment because most of the electrical is newer and the fuel system is working well.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

I would suspect a sticky lower shift cable as opposed to a shift interrupt switch that needs to be adjusted.

Don S wrote a good post showing the how and why of the shift interupt system:
How it works

 

[harryp]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

I had this problem too. This thing probably does not just go out of adjustment. My cable was actually broken somewhere in the outdrive. Had it replaced and all is well. Good luck.

 

[Ryan H]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

Thank you, very helpful advice.

 

[Ryan H]

Shift interrupter cable lubrication?

Shift interrupter cable lubrication?

I had the boat going for the first time last night. It stalled twice when going from neutral to forward and then after the cruise from forward to neutral. Could it still work if one of the cables are broken? If it's just sticking can the cable or shift interrupter be lubricated or does it need to be replaced. I found I have to push the throtle into forward and then reverse to start her up again.Thank you again

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Shift interrupter cable lubrication?

Re: Shift interrupter cable lubrication?

Disconnect the lower shift cable from the shifter plate. Have a helper turn the prop while you push and pull on the shifter cable. How does it feel? Tight? If so, the only solution is to change the whole cable assembly. Forget trying to lubricate it.

With the cable disconnected, put the helm in neutral. Is the shift interrupt switch located in the center of its travel?

 

[Kim1349]

Re: Shift interrupter adjustment link

Well this same thing has caused me much grief on lots of boats. Actually at times it appears the tension on the spring in the shift interupt itself gets week. Maybe someone messes with it not knowing what it does. For sure the lower cable going to the outdrive must move smooth and easy by hand if you take it lose to try it that way. Also the two levers in the outdrive but be free to move, the roller not damaged or worn badly and all lubricated. Someone putting the drive together with out knowledge can bend the levers and that will cause nightmares also. Make sure it's in forward gear and lined up properly. (Forward both the linkage and the lower unit.) We have experimented some with adding a little tension to the spring in the interupt when we had problems with a brand new cable with new levers and a perfectly good working lower shift assembly. The catch is to make sure it is not too tense to not function when you need to come out of gear! Anyone else tried the spring bending trick?

Sparks