Alpha One stuck in forward gear???

My wife and I were out cruising this afternoon when we got back to the boat hoist I put the boat in neutral to slow down but the boat stays in forward gear. Even if I pull the shifter back to reverse and accelerate we continue going forward. With the shifter straight up I push in the throttle only button and move the shifter forward it still stays in forward gear and accelerates.It is a Quicksiver shifter. The boat is a 1988 Crestliner with a 3.0 litre and Alpha One sterndrive. What should I look for first. The boat is still in the water on the hoist. I have torn into it in the past getting the head rebuilt about 6 years ago and I have pulled the lower unit myself several times to grease the U joints, altough now the lower unit has not been off for a couple years.

Re: Alpha One stuck in forward gear???

Sounds like a cable or remote issue. With engine cover off shift the shifter, did the shift cables move? If they did the problem should be lower shift cable or linkage/drive. If they did not the problem should be upper shift cable or remote. The lower cable pushes into fwd so if the cable broke or the clamp on the cable end let go it will stay in fwd. If you suspect thei unhook the lower cable from the bracket and pull on the end, did the cable or parts come out/off in your hand?

James

Re: Alpha One stuck in forward gear???

I would bet lower shift cable. I would also check all your bellows while your at it with this age.

Re: Alpha One stuck in forward gear???

Hey James, Thanks for the fast reply. Yes, with the engine cover off both cables moved as I had my wife move the shifter forward up to neutral and then back to reverse. One thing I noticed that did not move was the rocker that hits that interupt kill switch. Should that move if the boat is on a hoist and not running. The boat is about three miles away from me now so I will go back down in the morning and check some more things. I will try disconnecting one of those cables to see if it is unattached at the other end and just pulls out.

Re: Alpha One stuck in forward gear???

Its also time for an impeller if its been a few years since lower has been taken off. Have you changed the oil in outdrive lately or has that been years too. But if you need to put a lower shift cable on. then its time to drain and refill oil in outdrive and replace impeller.