Sticky Shifter

[sam60]

Situation- In forward at low speed and attempted to shift to neutral, failed. Boat continued forward.

Action Taken- Moved the lever to upright position and beyond toward reverse and could not get into neutral.

Temporary Remedy - Killed engine and got the click in the shifter when returned to 12 O'Clock.

Problem?

That's why I'm here.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Sticky Shifter

Sounds like the shift cable needs to be replaced.
Start with removing the drive and cleaning the bellcrank and the bushings.
Look for water/corrosion in the area.Remember the way it came off.The amount of turns and position of everything.There is a tool used to install it, so no tool remember what you had.
Everyone I've ever seen has corrosion and needs grease when re-assembling.J

 

[Bridar]

Re: Sticky Shifter

The forward gear will not release while under thrust unless the engine slows to the 450 - 600 RPM (shift) range. This is why it easily shifts to neutral after you kill the engione.

There is an ESA (Electronic Shift Assist) module that interferes with the ignition to lower the RPM, as the shift linkage approaches the neutral position. The ESA module is activated by a microswitch that is opened & closed by a cam on the shift linkage. If the ESA module has malfunctioned or if the microswitch is out of alignment, the RPM will not be lowered enough to shift out of gear.

Try a simple test: With the engine idling in neutral, manually activate the microswitch my hand, while watching the RPM. If there's no change in RPM when the switch is opened & closed, then either the switch is faulty, the ESA module is faulty, or there's a wiring issue. If the RPM changes when the microswitch is activated, then the switch level may simply be out of alignment with the cam.

If the ESA is working properly and the forward gear is still not realeasing, then you may have a problem with the lower shift cable (the cable between the top of the engine and the outdrive). Installing a new shift cable and the complex adjustment procedure is a whole other thread.

If troubleshooting leads you to the shift cable, I urge you to read the following: http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[sam60]

Re: Sticky Shifter

What is strange is that it did it one time in the middle of a three day trip.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Sticky Shifter

This is the cone clutch drive, its different than the dog clutch Cobras that used the ESA system, I don't believe the cone clutch models used an ESA or ignition stumble system which is needed on the dog clutch models to get the dog clutches to release while shifting to neutral.
The cause of it not shifting to neutral may therefore be different than on dog clutch models.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Sticky Shifter

The Cobra with the Cone clutch has an interrupter.
I've seen the cable so corroded that it interupts both ways in and out.