Shifting problem (Alpha I)

[eztiger12]

Hi to all......
Hoping to get lots of replies

Mercruiser 305 V8 with an Alpha 1 Gen 2 (1995 Bayliner 2355).

Was having a beautiful boat season until tonight.......

I was docking the boat, shifting from forward to reverse (a couple of times) and all of a sudden no response while shifting. The shifter felt looser than usual and would not shift to forward nor reverse.

While my wife moved the shifter I would not see any movement on the shifter plate screwed to the riser.

I removed the hand shifter and everything looked normal with both cables bolted in.

I tried shifting but seemed like the shifter was getting stiffer with time. I removed the lower shifter cable from the plate and it moved freely......it felt as if it was going to engage into gear.

While the lower cable was still disconnected the hand shifter was still very stiff moving it into forward and even more so going into reverse.

I re-connected the lower shift cable to the plate and tested the shifter again...........whether shifting into forward or reverse the engine would revv but would never engage into gear......

I'm no marine mechanic but I'm thinking it might be the upper shifter cable......

Can this be the upper shifting cable.........?
Can the shifter cable just snap like that....? (It seems to be well bolted on at both ends).
Is there anything else I can do to narrow down the problem.....?
If it is the upper shifting cable does anyone have instructions on how to replace and adjust it ....?

I do want to get the boat back to port........If I dis-connect the lower shift cable and engage it into gear, can I get my boat back to port?

I hope this is clear.....if not please let me know.

Thanks to all.......

 

[achris]

Re: Shifting problem (Alpha I)

Usually if the upper shift cable breaks it will select reverse and stay there.... I would be looking inside the control box...

 

[eztiger12]

Re: Shifting problem (Alpha I)

Thanks Achris


Can you suggest what I should be looking at inside the control box.....I opened it today and both cables were connected and it seemed as if everything moved ok......

 

[achris]

Re: Shifting problem (Alpha I)

If the control box is still working and the shift plate isn't moving, then you have a faulty upper shift cable...

Chris.........

 

[eztiger12]

Re: Shifting problem (Alpha I)

That s what is happening ....while moving the control box lever either forward or reverse, there is no movement whatsoever at the shifter plate ........I guess that means it's the upper shifter cable.

Is that right Achris.......you seem to know a lot about this....I'm reading other threads while waiting for answers........

Do you think I can drive it to port while shifting it manually or will I be causing any damage?

Thanks again Achris.....you've been of great help...

 

[achris]

Re: Shifting problem (Alpha I)

If the gear shift cable is moving at the control box end, and not at the shift plate, then it's a good bet you have something wrong with the shift cable...

To push it into forward gear and drive the boat somewhere is possible, but VERY dangerous... If you can't move to neutral or reverse, it's akin to driving an automatic transmission car without brakes ....

Your particular set up has a 'shift assister'.. A spring loaded arrangement on the shift plate, designed to make shifting out of gear easier... With a faulty cable that will not allow the drive to stay in gear without the load of the control box cable....

If you do strap it up and drive (NOT RECOMMENDED), you shouldn't do any damage....

Chris..........
Sorry for the delayed reply... I am also reading and answering other threads...

 

[eztiger12]

Re: Shifting problem (Alpha I)

Hi achris

I'll take your advice and see if I can get towed back to port.
Don't worry about the delay.......better late than never....
You have been of great help....
I'll give an update

Thanks once again

Nick