cant get boat in gear???????

[mdpicard]

The throttle will not go forward or in reverse inless the button is pressed in. When I try to move it forward the throttle cable and the shifter cable begin to bow. I try to do it manaully but still could not get it to go in gear. I have a 1988 3.0l mercruiser. If any one has any seggustions please help.

 

[Don S]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

One of the shift cables is froze up. Disconnect the one from the helm to the engine and see if the control will shift. If it does, then you have a problem with either the lower shift cable or something in the drive froze up.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

When was the last time it did work?

You can start with disconnecting the upper shift cable from the shift plate mounted on the motor end this will help you isolate it from the control unit / upper shift cable from the drive unit / lower cable.

 

[mdpicard]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

when I disconnected them it moved back and for it just wasnt engaging the gears. There is nothing wrong with the lower unit however could it be possible the shift cable came disconnected from something inside?

 

[mdpicard]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

It worked about three weeks ago fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

The cable that runs from the engine to the drive is probably froze up.
You said you know the drive is ok, how is it that you KNOW that? Or did you mean you assume it's all right?

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

when I disconnected them it moved back and for it just wasnt engaging the gears.

Do you mean that the throttle control was moving OK?

There is nothing wrong with the lower unit however could it be possible the shift cable came disconnected from something inside?

Remove the lower cable from the shift plate. Pull on the cable end and have someone try to turn the prop in both directions. In one direction the prop should lock, the other direction the prop should ratchet. If you push the cable in, the same should happen, only in reverse rotations.

 

[mdpicard]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

I took the lower unit (boot) and everything in there I think is working properly

 

[bruceb58]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

What do you mean by this?

You took the lower unit off?

I took the lower unit (boot) and everything in there I think is working properly

 

[mdpicard]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

yes i took the lower unit off.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: cant get boat in gear???????

Lower unit meeting complete drive or just the lower unit?

If you did really just take the lower unit off, why didn't you just take off the whole drive?

What happened when you tried the shifter with the lower unit/drive off?

yes i took the lower unit off.