How do you properly adjust a shift cable? Engine shuts off when going Fwd and Rev :-(

[vickerslane]

I just had my shift cable bellow replaced but now when I shift my boat into reverse and/or forward, the kill switch engages and the engine shuts off. I had it working out of the water on muffs but as soon as I put it in water, it shuts off as soon as I go into gear.

I can not find how I am supposed to adjust the cable. It was fine and I never had this issue until I disconnected the cable to replace the bellow. Does anyone have some advice? Is there a way to measure the adjustments?

I found this but it is hard to understand without pictures or an illustration....

Cable Adjustment:

Remove the dash cable from the shift plate.
Adjust the stud in the slot to the bottom of the slot.
Push the drive cable inwards while someone locks the prop.
It is VERY important to make sure the prop is fully locked.
Measure the drive cable so you have a 6" distance between the hole at the end
and the brass barrel. (center to center!)
Adjust the brass barrel so it measures 6" center to center. Don't move it!
I sure hope that prop was locked in forward (the reverse direction).

Place the drive cable onto the shift plate assembly being carefull not to move your 6" adjustment!
Now you have the drive in forward AND the shift plate is in forward too!
Adjust the plastic barrel on the dash cable to match the plate studs so the cable will go right on
without moving the shift plate or the drive cable.
Install the nuts and the cotter pins.

You can now do a static shift test.
Place the control in forward. The prop should lock in one direction and ratchet in the other.
Take a notice of the ratchet tension.
Now go into neutral. The prop should turn both ways free and no noise should be heard.

Shift into reverse and feel the ratchet tension. Also make sure you get a good "lock" in the other direction.
IF the reverse is weak in the ratcheting, then adjust the stud in the lever slide on the shift plate.

The final test is how it shifts in the water!

Just go out and have some fun.
IF you need to adjust the shift, ONLY adjust the DASH CABLE BARREL.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: How do you properly adjust a shift cable? Engine shuts off when going Fwd and Rev

this may help, start page 89: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/app_themes/ppt/images/tech-specs/alpha-shift-adjust.pdf

 

[WILSONS88]

Re: How do you properly adjust a shift cable? Engine shuts off when going Fwd and Rev

If you kinked the cable at all while you were putting the belows on or installing the drive back on will damage the cable. It will add resistance to the cable and will activate the switch to stay on longer killing the engine. Just a possibility!

 

[JerryIrons]

Re: How do you properly adjust a shift cable? Engine shuts off when going Fwd and Rev

You can adjust it right on the trailer. Basically, you have to play around with the barrell to find the perfect spot. That would be, when you shift into neutral, the prop turns freely. Then, when shifting into forward and reverse, the prop rachets one way, and locks the other. While this is happening, you need to stay in the valley at the shift interrupt switch. If you pop out of the valley, the engine will shut off. You can do all of this with the engine off. Have a helper (wife) turn prop while you fine tune barrel settings.

Before doing anything, I would pop the barrel off, and shift it by hand first one way and then the other to make sure forward and reverse are working correctly at the prop. (cable installed correctly)

 

[Don S]

Re: How do you properly adjust a shift cable? Engine shuts off when going Fwd and Rev

I just had my shift cable bellow replaced but now when I shift my boat into reverse and/or forward,

You should have replaced the cable at the same time.
I have tried to save cables for customers before like that, only to have to go back and replace it. Once they get removed and reinstalled, the insides usually bind from the wear pattern being in a different position.

 

[jayrodoh]

Re: How do you properly adjust a shift cable? Engine shuts off when going Fwd and Rev

You should have replaced the cable at the same time.
I have tried to save cables for customers before like that, only to have to go back and replace it. Once they get removed and reinstalled, the insides usually bind from the wear pattern being in a different position.

Ditto Don. We did the same and the cable worked about three times, after that the resistance was just enough that the cable didn't move freely enough and it "dragged" over the kill switch too slowly and stalled every shift.

Got sick of hitting docks, had it replaced and have been fine for 4 years now.