Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

[sped]

Yep, I had a little wild ride this weekend, the Mercruiser Alpha I 5.7 stuck in reverse when I shifted into neutral. I had to quickly throw it into the opposing gear to keep from running into the dock. It also sticks in forward sometimes.
I did some searching and did not find anything like my problem. Anyone got a clue?
Another problem the motor sometimes surges when I set it to idle after it has run for a while. Then when I shift into a forward or reverse the motor dies.
Thanks....
Ed

 

[Don S]

Re: Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

Check your shift interrupt switch and the connections to it. If it doesn't work, the drive tries to stay in gear because of the reverse cut shift dogs.
What year is your engine? or it's SN?
Odd to hear it won't come out of gear and then dies the other way.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

My 1st Guess is that All your Issues are related to a Bad Lower Shift Cable............

 

[tommays]

Re: Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

Shift interrupt switch not working and it sounds like your lower shift cable is sticking and needs replacement


Tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

Yup & I would check the pivot points on the shift plate for proper lubrication as well......JK

 

[arthat]

Re: Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

Hi Sped, I had a simular problem on my OMC Cobra. The culprits as suggested by other members were the shift interupter switch out of adj., too short shift cables and no lube to the shift rod. My old mech. had told me I needed to get used to the problem. My new mech. fixed the the problem. He also is a Merc. certified mech. He may be able to give you some professional sugestions. 978-356-2300, 0800-1600 hrs. EST (Paul Eby)

 

[KRS]

Re: Sticks in gear...allmost crashed!!!

Make sure your engine cover isn't sitting too low and the shift cables (mine are on top of the engine) aren't getting stuck (happened to me). My engine cover was sagging and I almost met the people on the dock a little too quick.