Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

[fordmugg]

350 mercruiser with alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive, now it shifts to forward and back to neutral fine, shifts to reverse fine but won't go back to neutral without turning the boat off. I tried today at the lake to adjust it but can't get it to work, now is this just a case of a stretched cable?

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Checked the shift interrupt switch?

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Checked the shift interrupt switch?

But it shifts out of forward just fine

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Doesn't mean anything. Does it shift a little stiff, or can you hear the engine cut for just a second as it comes out of gear?

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Listen to achris. Your shift interrupter switch is not working properly. It's job is to shut off the engine for a split second during shifts so that you can shift. Check the power source to the switch, its connections and its adjustment. If there's power to the switch and you aren't sure if it's working properly, just replace it; it's inexpensive and easy to replace. Check your manual for proper adjustment procedure. Hy

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

I'll check out the switch tomorrow... Does it toggle both ways for forward and reverse cause it shifts out of forward to neutral just fine

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Does it toggle both ways for forward and reverse cause it shifts out of forward to neutral just fine

Yes.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

If there's power to the switch and you aren't sure if it's working properly, just replace it; it's inexpensive and easy to replace

some older shift interrupt switches are nla - if you want to replace them you need a whole new shift plate assy, not cheap

it sounds as though the switch is operational, it is stopping the ignition - its usually a binding shift cable that causes the switch activating rocker to not return to its static position, also the v-spring on older alphas isn't as stout as newer ones, easily replaceable

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Ok we'll I fired the boat up and pushed the switch and nothing happens, the boat doesn't stall or anything, here is a pic of the switch, it just has the two wires from the switch on these screws, so really how does it ground to stumble the motor? Top wire goes to the bottom screw and bottom wire goes to top screw

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

See if this helps at all...

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...nterrupt-system-works-288089.html#post1930449

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

That terminal block is supposed to have 4 wires going to it, not 2.

How about an engine serial number and I will get you a wiring diagram.

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Ok went out and checked things out, the switch has continuity so it should work when hooked up right, the lower shift cable is stiff when I pull it back to reverse it pulls the bracket for the kill switch, so if it was hooked up right I believe it would just die. So I think to fix it all i would need a new lower shift cable and hook the switch up right

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

That terminal block is supposed to have 4 wires going to it, not 2.

How about an engine serial number and I will get you a wiring diagram.

The motor changed to a rebuilt one by the guy I bought it from but all the parts should be correct, it's an 84 hallett with the carb 350

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

The motor changed to a rebuilt one by the guy I bought it from but all the parts should be correct, it's an 84 hallett with the carb 350

Have no clue what a hallett is..... but 84 works, and it has the Thunderbolt ignition.
Here is the wiring diagram.

View attachment wiring.pdf

And make sure they are on the correct terminals of the terminal block.

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Have no clue what a hallett is..... but 84 works, and it has the Thunderbolt ignition.
Here is the wiring diagram.

View attachment 193707

And make sure they are on the correct terminals of the terminal block.

View attachment 193708

Thanks for all the good info

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Have no clue what a hallett is..... but 84 works, and it has the Thunderbolt ignition.
Here is the wiring diagram.

View attachment 193707

And make sure they are on the correct terminals of the terminal block.

View attachment 193708

Thanks for all the good info

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

That switch gets disconnected many times when it starts to kill the engine as the lower shift cable gets worn. People think the shift interruptor is bad and disconnect it. It's actually doing it's job, but for a little too long.

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Ok so I was checking my boat and it doesn't seem to have the ignition amplifier, this is what it has, so how do I hook up the neutral switch without it

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Are there points inside the dissy?

 

[fordmugg]

Re: Alpha 1 gen 1 shift cable problem help

Here are pics of the dist