1989 Mercruiser 350 alpha one stalls when shifting

[Borowski3]

Hey everyone, I have a 1989 Ebbtide 204 with a Mercruiser 350 Magnum Alpha one Gen one. I was getting the boat ready for the season and while running an operations check the boat would stall while trying to get into FWD or REV. Upon further inspection, I saw that the shift interrupter switch stays depressed when I shift to FWD or REV. This is caused by the actuator not returning to the resting position. When I shift the boat back into neutral It also doesn't return to the resting position and I need to manually move it to get the boat started again. I assume this is a worn out spring in the mechanism where it mounts to the shift plate. Seems like an easy fix but I'm having trouble finding the proper part and I don't want to waste money by ordering the wrong one. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Also does my reasoning for the stalling while shifting make sense? Thanks in advance.

 

[dubs283]

Issue is more likely caused by a worn/faulty lower shift cable than the v spring assy in the shift interrupt.

Expect to get 5-10 seasons of use from the lower shift cable under normal conditions

 

[Borowski3]

Issue is more likely caused by a worn/faulty lower shift cable than the v spring assy in the shift interrupt.

Expect to get 5-10 seasons of use from the lower shift cable under normal conditions

That doesn't seem too bad. I see the part comes with an inner cable and a cable guide. Would I be able to keep the old cable guide and just replace the inner portion? Seems like it would make install a breeze. Also how could I trouble shoot to be sure? I've only owned the boat for 2 years.

 

[nola mike]

That doesn't seem too bad. I see the part comes with an inner cable and a cable guide. Would I be able to keep the old cable guide and just replace the inner portion? Seems like it would make install a breeze. Also how could I trouble shoot to be sure? I've only owned the boat for 2 years.

No, you need to replace both. To test, remove the lower shift cable from the plate, and move it manually. It should have essentially no resistance at all. Also, the plate can bind, so with the cable disconnected try moving the plate as well and make sure that it moves freely.

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

Hey everyone, I have a 1989 Ebbtide 204 with a Mercruiser 350 Magnum Alpha one Gen one. I was getting the boat ready for the season and while running an operations check the boat would stall while trying to get into FWD or REV. Upon further inspection, I saw that the shift interrupter switch stays depressed when I shift to FWD or REV. This is caused by the actuator not returning to the resting position. When I shift the boat back into neutral It also doesn't return to the resting position and I need to manually move it to get the boat started again. I assume this is a worn out spring in the mechanism where it mounts to the shift plate. Seems like an easy fix but I'm having trouble finding the proper part and I don't want to waste money by ordering the wrong one. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? Also does my reasoning for the stalling while shifting make sense? Thanks in advance.

fwd throttle handle , the shift cable of the outdrive is inspected , remove of the out drive ..... cleaned the inside of it .. then grease the shift level .. the fwd shift gear ....then install it ..
lube the back engine of the throttle/gear cables and the switch ...
remove the propeller , then run the engine and see if the ignition switch is moving it fwd/rev of the drop of the ignition ...
look up the video of the shifting cables/switch

 

[tank1949]

That doesn't seem too bad. I see the part comes with an inner cable and a cable guide. Would I be able to keep the old cable guide and just replace the inner portion? Seems like it would make install a breeze. Also how could I trouble shoot to be sure? I've only owned the boat for 2 years.

If there is any slop, fix or replace. Been there....

 

[Scott06]

That doesn't seem too bad. I see the part comes with an inner cable and a cable guide. Would I be able to keep the old cable guide and just replace the inner portion? Seems like it would make install a breeze. Also how could I trouble shoot to be sure? I've only owned the boat for 2 years.

As others have said you need to replace both as they both wear.

One thing that makes it easier is to pull the core out of the outer sheath. I push a weed wacker wire up it until it come out the top of the engine ( can use an old core with end cut off) . Tie the wire off on the top of the engine, unthread the outer cable at bellhousing and remove leaving weedwacker wire in place, push new out cable up the weed wacker wire so it is routed the same way. On V engines to get around exhaust WYE pipe takes some finaglling...

Trouble shoot by removing cable at **** plate, you should be able to shift by gently pushing cable with two fingers. if not pull drive and try again, mechanism is bellhousing can get hung up. But given the age of your boat if it hasn't been done you have gotten your money's worth...

 

[Borowski3]

As others have said you need to replace both as they both wear.

One thing that makes it easier is to pull the core out of the outer sheath. I push a weed wacker wire up it until it come out the top of the engine ( can use an old core with end cut off) . Tie the wire off on the top of the engine, unthread the outer cable at bellhousing and remove leaving weedwacker wire in place, push new out cable up the weed wacker wire so it is routed the same way. On V engines to get around exhaust WYE pipe takes some finaglling...

Trouble shoot by removing cable at **** plate, you should be able to shift by gently pushing cable with two fingers. if not pull drive and try again, mechanism is bellhousing can get hung up. But given the age of your boat if it hasn't been done you have gotten your money's worth...

are all the mercruiser lower shift cables the same throughout each engine and outdrive model? From what I've found it seems like it. Any chance you or someone else would have a link or part number to the correct part. Just want to be sure. I'd like to sell the boat this year so I'm doing my best not to spend too much money on it.

 

[Scott06]

are all the mercruiser lower shift cables the same throughout each engine and outdrive model? From what I've found it seems like it. Any chance you or someone else would have a link or part number to the correct part. Just want to be sure. I'd like to sell the boat this year so I'm doing my best not to spend too much money on it.

put you serial number in here to get most accurate but the link should be to an 89 transom assy for an alpha

MerCruiser R / MR / Alpha One (Sterndrive) 1983-1990 Transom Plate & Shift Cable Parts

MerCruiser r/mr/alpha one (sterndrive) 1983-1990 transom plate and shift cable parts. Buy a genuine Mercury Quicksilver or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

 

[Borowski3]

put you serial number in here to get most accurate but the link should be to an 89 transom assy for an alpha

MerCruiser R / MR / Alpha One (Sterndrive) 1983-1990 Transom Plate & Shift Cable Parts

MerCruiser r/mr/alpha one (sterndrive) 1983-1990 transom plate and shift cable parts. Buy a genuine Mercury Quicksilver or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

Thank you