Hard Shifting

[bball321]

I have a VIP Vison with the 2.3 cobra. When I put the shifter in gear to go forward it does so fairly easily. However when I try to put it back into neutral, it is very difficult. Same thing happens when I try to put it into neutral from reverse. It doesn't do it when the engine is not running. Any suggestions?

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard Shifting

Sounds like your ESA system is not working that is why it's so hard to get out of gear. You may also have a bad lower shift cable, or it somehow got way out of adjustment.<br /><br /> http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html

 

[rybad]

Re: Hard Shifting

I went through this on my '89 5.7's last year. You can test the ESA by manually depressing the switch, see if you idle scatters. If it doesnt, the ESA is bad. One of mine worked, the other didnt. I ordered a new ESA and installed it. Oddly enough, while I was waiting for the new part, I decided to tune my idle down a little lower to relieve pressure on the gears when shifting (thats basically what the ESA does..) and that worked as a temporary fix.<br /><br />I bought an ESA at www.ebasicpower.com .. I think it was around $40 - fairly cheap.

 

[bball321]

Re: Hard Shifting

Where is the ESA at exactly. I think the microswitch is located right by the shifter cables. Is this the switch that you test? I heard that the ESA is by the carborater, if so what does it look like. I can't find any picture to describe it. My microswitch arm moves when I put it into reverse but not when I put it into forward. I have yet to try it with the engine running. Maybe I will have some time today.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Hard Shifting

The ESA is near the carb, it's black and has a couple of wire harnesses coming out, follow the blue/black wires from the switches back it should lead you right to it. Have the engine running in neutral and manually lift up on the arm of the switch, it should activate the ESA which should drop the RPM's down quite a bit and then release it and the RPM's return to normal. If this tests OK then the ESA and the interupt switch are working. Could be a lower shift cable or adjustment, what color is the shift cable, black or red?

 

[rybad]

Re: Hard Shifting

Usually the ESA is extremely easy to get to and change. Like Boatin Bob said, near the carb, usually between the carb and the distributor on the I-manifold. Mines on a bracket, held on by two screws. Just disconnect the connectors and remove/replace it.

 

[bball321]

Re: Hard Shifting

Put it into to water last night to check it out. When I activated the arm nothing happened. I found the ESA. You are right, it is very easy to get to. How do I know if it is the ESA or microswitch? The switch clicks when I activate it. Sounds like it is O.K. David 1995, you gave me a site where I could find an ESA, but I haven't found it on there yet. Are there any other places where I could check? By the way Boatin Bob, the lower shift cable is red. The person I bought the boat from said it was replaced about 3 years ago, and the boat hasn't been used much since. Thanks Guys

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Hard Shifting

From what I can see your ESA should be a 985902. Go to this site to see CDI/Rapair equivalent ESA Now this doesn't mean your ESA is bad, you need to check the switches, cables and power to the ESA before you change it. The interupt switch you lifted is wired through the NO points, there should be another switch called the overstroke which is wired through the NC points and should always be closed except when in gear. There are 2 cams on the shift lever that open this switch when in forward or reverse to prevent the ESA from working while in gear. Both of these switches go to a 4 pin plug attaching to the ESA, you should be able to unplug and using a meter or some kind of continuity tester check them out for correct operation. It's good that you have the Red cable however it could still be adjustment related.

 

[lrlima]

Re: Hard Shifting

May not be your problem, but I experienced the same issues you're having. After troubleshooting a bit, one of the wires came loose but it was difficult to see unless you pulled on the wire (lightly). Secured it back into the harness and it worked again...