1998 Mercruiser 3.0 won't shift into reverse

Nates78ski

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
37
photo.jpgI've got a 1998 Rinker that runs great and shifts into forward perfectly. However, when I attempt to shift it into reverse it is EXTREMELY difficult and the engine stalls out. Also, when I look back to check it out, the brass end on the cable is coming out of the plastic end and forming a sharp angle. (I'll see if I can get a picture up here soon)

What do you think, guys? If it were a shift cable, wouldn't it shift poorly in forward as well?

Regards,

Nate
 
Last edited:

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: 1998 Mercruiser 3.0 won't shift into reverse

View attachment 229502I've got a 1998 Rinker that runs great and shifts into forward perfectly. However, when I attempt to shift it into reverse it is EXTREMELY difficult and the engine stalls out. Also, when I look back to check it out, the brass end on the cable is coming out of the plastic end and forming a sharp angle. (I'll see if I can get a picture up here soon)

What do you think, guys? If it were a shift cable, wouldn't it shift poorly in forward as well?

Regards,

Nate

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... The cable in yer picture is Broken, 'n needs replacin',...

At the top of this forum is Don'S Adults Only,....

In there you'll find all kinds of links to figure out what needs doin',...
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: 1998 Mercruiser 3.0 won't shift into reverse

View attachment 229502I've got a 1998 Rinker that runs great and shifts into forward perfectly. However, when I attempt to shift it into reverse it is EXTREMELY difficult and the engine stalls out. Also, when I look back to check it out, the brass end on the cable is coming out of the plastic end and forming a sharp angle. (I'll see if I can get a picture up here soon)

What do you think, guys? If it were a shift cable, wouldn't it shift poorly in forward as well?

Regards,

Nate

Howdy Nate,

Welcome aboard!


You need a new shift cable..........OR it's WAY out of adjustment!!

Pretty obvious in the picture!

It might go into forward because the cable is in tension. When you 'push' on the cable, it's in compression (and it appears to bend!)


Cheers,


Rick
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,092
Re: 1998 Mercruiser 3.0 won't shift into reverse

Its the control box cable and it needs to be replaced.
 
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