90 OMC Cobra dies when shifting (In the water)

[Firefly52]

I have a 90 omc cobra and it won't shift without dieing WHILE in the water. I adjusted it to work on muffs, but when i put it in the water it dies every time. Here's the thing, if i disconnect the shifter ( from control) and shift it manually (in the water) it works fine. I replaced both the throttle and the shift cables to no avail. This is my second used control. It will shift without the ESA, but as you know I have to shut off the engine to get it back out of gear. Getting to the dock when the current is moving 5 to 8 mph is so much easier when you have reverse. My wife and I manage, but its a pain. I have adjusted this thing 100 times or so it feels. I recently switched to a dual control and it worked great on the muffs..................until I put in the water and then back to not working. Any suggestions?

 

[bruceb58]

Did you use the OMC special tools to adjust the lower shift cable?

 

[Firefly52]

Also it did work fine without the remote hooked up in the water

 

[bruceb58]

You need to look at the shift switch and see what it's doing while you do your shift. It isn't supposed to engage at all going into gear.

 

[HT32BSX115]

I It will shift without the ESA, but as you know I have to shut off the engine to get it back out of gear.

The ESA is not used nor needed and should not activate to get into gear.

You cannot "test" the shifting system UNLESS you are in the water.

Testing out of the water (on the trailer etc) will not (and should not) produce the torque necessary to move the shift actuator to activate the ESA when coming out of gear and it if does activate, either the lower shift cable or other linkage/parts are binding. Look at the shift actuator (#37 below) and see if it moves sufficiently to "work" the micro-switch that activates the ESA.


The shift actuator may move when going into gear normally but it shouldn't move far enough to turn on the ESA.



Regards,


Rick