1988 Mercruiser Shifting Problem - reverse only

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danfennell

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Joined
Jul 2, 2006
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5
I have a 1988 330HP Mercruiser Alpha 1 and last night I strated the engine as usual in neutral.
I put in in reverse to back out of my slip and when I put it in forward it was still going in reverse...
It didn't matter if I reved it up in reverse or forward it went in reverse.
I opened it up to look at the engine and I manually pushed it back to neutral.
I tried it again and the same thing happened..

Any ideas as to what my problem is??
I have owned the boat for 10+ years and this has never happenned.

Thanks,
Dan
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
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Re: 1988 Mercruiser Shifting Problem - reverse only

I have owned the boat for 10+ years and this has never happenned.
Click to expand...

This may seem hard to believe, but things do wear out and break, even on a boat! ;)

If you could shift the cable back to neutral from the engine compartment, then your lower shift cable is ok, you may have a broken or disconnected cable from the control to the engine.
 
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danfennell

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Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
5
Re: 1988 Mercruiser Shifting Problem - reverse only

Don said:
I have owned the boat for 10+ years and this has never happenned.
Click to expand...

This may seem hard to believe, but things do wear out and break, even on a boat! ;)

If you could shift the cable back to neutral from the engine compartment, then your lower shift cable is ok, you may have a broken or disconnected cable from the control to the engine.
Click to expand...
 
D

danfennell

Recruit
Joined
Jul 2, 2006
Messages
5
Re: 1988 Mercruiser Shifting Problem - reverse only

Thanks Don for the quick reply!
I hope my lower shift cable is ok. I'd rather not have to pull my boat out of the water to have it repaired and costly I am sure.

The shift cable does move it into reverse. It just won't pullit back to neutral or go into forward. so I have to put it back to neutral manually.
How would I manually put it into forward as this was not obvious to me?

I will try to take a look at the control connections today.
Its not an easy time to find a mechanic on a holiday weekend!! :'(
 
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