Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

Mercury 2000 2 cycle 135HP OB with Commander 3000 Controller panel mount.
My 1st boat, just purchased from a trusting old salt who hasent moved the boat in 2 seasons.
Motor starts adn can push idle to 3000 RPM or higher (had it in the water, but spent the afternoon dockside due to shift issue).
When I pull the neutral lock up, cant seem to push into gear unless you really lean on it hard. Either direction .
Orinially susspected the controller and cables, so I took controller apart and cleaned and lubed. When cables disconnected at the controller , controller moves fine.
Connected cables back on the controller , seems to shift a little easier but still way too hard to controll speed effectivly.
Susspected cables, to test I disconnected both shifter and throttle on engine side.
Controller moves easy. Thinking this is a valid troubleshooting test but Im new and could use some guidence.
Im hoping there is nothing wrong with lower unit.

Motor has 85 hrs on it. I changed the LU oil before running. It was black, but no water nor pieces of metal. Not much glitter either.

Any suggestions?

Should the leaver that the shifter linkage connects too (center of OB) move easily?? It doesnt...

thanks

Re: Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

You sem to have verified the cables move freely but did you try to manually select gears when you had the shifter cable undone.

Item 39/40 in this link is the link and shift shaft with which you should be able to select gears. If this is difficult to move, it will be time to investigate lower.

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/11209_70.cfm

What is the s/n of your engine?

Gerry

Re: Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

Thanks..I was hoping it was cables
Are you saying I should be able to grab item #39 and move in and out of gear?
Should I drop the bracket #28 to gain access to #39 to allow for more leverage??
Item 42, is hard to get at with any kind of force...
Im thinking it will take a bit O muscle/leverage to move this or should it be easy??

Re: Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

When you disconnected the cable, you notice how it slides on guide block, item 37 and the pin of item 39 comes up through the guide block. Get a screwdriver or a piece of wood and push the guide block along which will shift gears by moving item 39. It will require some pressure to move it but it should not be difficult. As you have proved the cables are free, the problem definitely appears to be in the LU and you are going to have to drop it and see if it can be shifted at the lower shift shaft which comes out of the LU. If it is difficult there, then you are into the gearbox.

Again, do you have the s/n?

Gerry

Re: Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

will give that a go tomorrow...I fear it will be difficult and its something in the LU...geesh...just got this , only has 85 hrs on it..
apologies, forgot the SN info:
OTO66460
Model: 113541zwd

Re: Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

just gave it a push...it moves but is tough, dont hear any grinding and prop is in gear...also, it looks very dry where the base of item #42 goes into the body. Its easier to see at night with a flashlight .

Should I shoot a little CRC/WD40 in there? Or must it be taken apart and lubed up??
this motor had been sitting outside , not is use since the end of the 2010 season.

Update: 3/25
used some wd40 on the entry point of item#42, after a few moments I was able to move item #39's pin with a block of wood without difficultly.

Is there a bigger issues than wd40 can resolve? should this be taken apart an lubed with some teflon grease?

carholme: appreciated the diagram, it takes the guess work out of black box (which what an outboard is to a newbie like me). You asked for the SN#, is that too match up a service manual??
Also appreciate you taking the time to answer this , I may have spent more time and money (may still have too, correcting this .

Will look back to see if you have any wisdome to add !
Thanks,
Little Buddy (gilligan12)

Re: Merc commander 3000 controller vrey hard to get into fwd or rev, need help.

I apologize, I missed reading your last.

Yes, the s/n was for the manual which is P/N: 90-878079

http://1manual.com/Mercury manuals/Service Manual PDFs/TwoStroke/878079/cover.pdf

You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to use this manual. If you scroll down to the lower part of the opening page, you will see the various engine components in red. Click on the one you want and when the first page opens, click on the "Save As" icon at the top LH corner of the page and you can save it to your computer.

If you feel you have improved the operation, hook the cable back up to see if it has made any difference. It certainly won't cost any money if you have to drop the LU to check freedom of operation at the lower shift shaft.

Gerry