thermalfinder
Cadet
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2014
- Messages
- 6
I just signed up for this site and I would appreciate any advice that can be given. It appears that the subject of shift interrupter switches and lower shift cable has been discussed quite a bit. I have a problem with my 1979 Mercruiser 470 dying when shifted into either gear, only when cold. after about a half hour of running it doesn't die anymore and runs perfectly, although the shifting does seem rather stiff and I have to ease it into gear. It is hard to do this sometimes with out "gunning" the engine. I suspect the lower shift cable is interfering with the shift interrupter switch. I have adjusted the cables but it still does it. I have a few questions about the operation of the shift interrupter switch and arm. I have tested the switch with an ohm meter and know that it is good.
#1-The arm that activates the rocker switch is spring loaded- when shifted into either forward or reverse should this arm center itself back up so the roller rocker is back in the valley of the arm when in gear? It seems to me that it should or the ignition system would be grounded constantly when in gear. Mine doesn't center back up. With the cable disconnected it does. This leads me to believe the cable is sticking holding the arm from returning to center.
#2- With an ohmmeter connected to the switch I have continuity at all times when shifted into reverse but no continuity in forward. I have bent the arm on the switch but I can't seem to bend it quite enough to make continuity in forward. I find it odd that, even with the cables disconnected and operating the lever with the y-spring on it by hand I still get no continuity in forward
#3- I am inclined to replace the shift cable regardless, but the one that I have found as a replacement is an "aft" design as opposed to a "fore" design. Evidently the "fore" design is obsolete. The supplier said that it should work fine but that I will need to retap/rethread a new hole. There are no directions with the kit, but they said that everyone that replaces their cables have to do this. Is anyone familiar with this? Do I need to drill a new hole or is there an existing hole that just needs to be threaded?
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated-
Kevin
#1-The arm that activates the rocker switch is spring loaded- when shifted into either forward or reverse should this arm center itself back up so the roller rocker is back in the valley of the arm when in gear? It seems to me that it should or the ignition system would be grounded constantly when in gear. Mine doesn't center back up. With the cable disconnected it does. This leads me to believe the cable is sticking holding the arm from returning to center.
#2- With an ohmmeter connected to the switch I have continuity at all times when shifted into reverse but no continuity in forward. I have bent the arm on the switch but I can't seem to bend it quite enough to make continuity in forward. I find it odd that, even with the cables disconnected and operating the lever with the y-spring on it by hand I still get no continuity in forward
#3- I am inclined to replace the shift cable regardless, but the one that I have found as a replacement is an "aft" design as opposed to a "fore" design. Evidently the "fore" design is obsolete. The supplier said that it should work fine but that I will need to retap/rethread a new hole. There are no directions with the kit, but they said that everyone that replaces their cables have to do this. Is anyone familiar with this? Do I need to drill a new hole or is there an existing hole that just needs to be threaded?
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated-
Kevin