Shift/Throttle lever removal

[Magic Dave]

Hello all. I have owned several boats but I am new to this forum.

I (almost) took my boat out today but I had a shift cable failure before I even left the dock. I have a 2001 Glastron SX195, 4.3 with an Mercruiser Alpha One. Great Boat, clean, very low hours.

I've been trying to remove the shift lever so that I can take off the quadrant, however after about an hour or so I have given up. I can't seem to get the lever off. Apparently there should be a set screw under the lever. I found a hole for a set screw that lines up with a white hash mark on the cover at about the 4 o'clock position. It has threads but no sign of a allen screw in that hole. When I wiggle the lever I can see the shaft move through that hole so I am sure that there is no allen screw in there.

Here is what my particular shift assembly looks like.

IMG_2457.jpg
IMG_2459.jpg

[Don S]

Put in neutral, push the button in, and move the lever forward in the throttle only position. Then pull the center button out.
Then you can get to the nut that removed the handle.

[Magic Dave]

Thanks Don,

That was too simple. I tried that earlier but I felt I was going to break it and I didn't want to force it.

Now that I've got it all apart I see my cables are in fine shape and I think its time to learn about the switch mechanism that seems to be preventing the shift lever to engage.

[stonyloam]

Now that I've got it all apart I see my cables are in fine shape and I think its time to learn about the switch mechanism that seems to be preventing the shift lever to engage.

Is the control lever not working? It could be the throttle only pin is stuck.

[Don S]

You should just tell us what your problem is before you take everything apart, it may not even be your control, or the cables.

[Magic Dave]

Well I suddenly had this problem occurr Friday when I launch my boat. I started it up at the dock and after the normal warm up period I went to put it in gear and I had no Fwd or Rev. The shift cable is not moving from the remote control. It is like it is stuck in the start/ throttle mode. I took it home and removed the controls for inspection. The cable does move freely when disconnected from both ends. Upon disassembly of the control I found that the micro switch, (assuming this is the neutral safety switch) had the little white contact tab chipped off of it. I am hoping it is that simple. I ordered a new switch from myy local dealer yesterday and it will be here sometime on Wednesday.
I really would expect something simple as this boat only has about 100 hours on it and is in excellent shape as it has been freshwater & garaged kept.

IMG_2467[1].jpg

[stonyloam]

That has nothing to do with shifting other than it brakes electrical contact and does not allow you to start the engine unless it is in neutral. It sounds like your throttle only is stuck, and probably needs some cleaning and lube. Looks like a commander 3000. Look at this diagram: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...%28Design+I%29 components 20-23 and 25. When you push in the TO that shaft moves and allows the pin to move and engage or disengage the gear 19 that moves shift lever #13. If that pin gets stuck the shifter will not engage. Anyway I think that is how it works, have not had mine apart for a long time. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[Magic Dave]

Thank You Terry & Don for your guidance.

It must have been the throttle only button that was stuck. I disassembled the remote mechanism and relubricated everything. I replaced that neutral safety switch before it became more of an issue and everything seems well again.
Reassembly of that remote is certainly a test of ones patience. (mainly the flat springs). I did find it necessary to adjust my throttle cable a hair as it was putting a little too much pressure on the cable when it was in neutral.

[stonyloam]

Reassembly of that remote is certainly a test of ones patience.

That is true! Glad it worked out!