Smartcraft error message "A shift fault has occured."

[snatchy]

Hi All
Long time listener, first time caller.

2006 build Mercruiser 4.3 V6 MPI 220 FWC with a matching alpha 1 Gen 2. 900+ hrs

I have a smartcraft error message come up stating;
What went wrong; Engine: Shift
Description; A shift fault has occurred. Return to neutral.
Recommended action; Key engine off and restart. If the condition persists return to port immediately - see dealer before next use.

Boat is on a trailer at my home in Australia - it is peak boating season and I have time off work. Decent boat Mechanics here are so busy they are not taking on new bookings until mid January.... so I am it. I pulled the alpha leg off yesterday to fix an engine alignment issue that required a lot of adjustment up on the engine mounts (~ 8 turns of the nuts). I thought my mechanic had all things well maintained? I put the leg back on and ran it on the hose, and now this error.

I have looked at the interrupt switch and checked for continuity open and closed and it seems to be OK. Disconnecting the interrupt switch and isolation switch did not change anything when doing new starts and runs.

The engine starts in neutral and revs up in neutral, plus shifts into forward and reverse. I have a complicating issue that the high pressure fuel pump is faulty (tested by gauge to the fuel rail when trying to get on the plane) so the engine runs like crap sometimes. I am patiently waiting for a new pump to arrive. I don't think the fuel pump has anything to do with the smartcraft error as the pump has been behaving badly for a few runs while being diagnosed without this new error message, but i will soon find out when the new pump arrives.

I suspect that this error has something to do with my removal and replacement of the leg (my first time removing/installing), or maybe even adjusting the engine mounts/alignment. From what i have looked through the manual #14 gives me no hints, and i cannot find any information on this error elsewhere on the internet (save for Verados). Any ideas what i could have done wrong during installation of the leg to get this error?

Before I go through the process of adjusting the shift mechanism as per the manual, would anyone have a suggestion on what else i can look at?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Scott Danforth]

8 turns is alot. I would go back to the alignment.

also, manual 14 doesnt cover smartcraft. later manuals, including the controls

 

[snatchy]

Thanks for your comments Scott

With only 60 hrs on a new gimbal bearing and uni joints i didn't know what else the clattering noise could be except alignment. This video has a similar noise;

I had trouble getting the alignment tool fully in until i adjusted the nuts about 3 turns, and alignment kept getting better as i kept adjusting. So in summary I think the alignment was way off and is the one thing that is now fixed, but this shift error has been created in the process.

My continued searching for more details on this error have not come up with anything. Looks like i need to look at manual 8M0137664 with smartcraft diagnostics.
I will have a chat to the nearest mercruiser shop when the other parts arrive.

 

[snatchy]

Sorted out the cause. I need a new shift interrupter switch.

 

[QBhoy]

Was going to say. Be the shift interupt switch or more likely on occasion...the switch needs slightly adjusted my only mm’s if the throttle assembly is contacting it. Happened to mine. Doesn’t clear the error until you get it cleared.