2002 Mercury Shifter won't engage

kcourt · #1 May 20th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Hi,

I started this for the first time this season today.

I held in the button on the shifter side to allow the throttle to engage without engaging the forward/reverse gear.

After the engine warmed up, I tried to go and it won't engage the gear. The button seems loose and does not pop out all the way.

I took the cowl off the engine and the throttle cable moves but not the shifter.

Is this likely just a stuck spring or something? If I remove the shifter mounting screws behind the panel, will I be able to get to what ever mechanism controls this?

Thanks,

Kevin

WillyBWright · #2 May 21st, 2006, 04:45 AM

Welcome to iboats.

You can frequently get it to pop back in by jiggling the handle when the handle is straight up in neutral. A few squirts of spray grease strategically aimed may help. Going after the mechanism is somewhat nightmarish.

kcourt · #3 May 21st, 2006, 06:20 AM

Thanks for your response. I'll try to get some grease behind the cap. It did go into reverse once, but then wouldn't do anything.

Thanks again.

Kevin

tashasdaddy · #4 May 21st, 2006, 07:04 AM

if you can try spraying WD 40 with the straw, in any crack or crevice you can. once you get freed work it a couple of times.

kcourt · #5 May 21st, 2006, 09:59 AM

It works now. Thanks for all the help. Most importantly, thanks for keeping me from taking the thing apart!

Kevin