Mercruiser 5.0 MPI idling problem

[Lou C]

Sticky transom shift cable keeping shift interrupt engaged too long. Merc momentarily shorts out ignition to allow dog clutch to release fwd or rev gear to get into neutral. OMC Cobra like mine has an electronic module that cuts spark to half the cyls to do the same thing but the engine never stalls it will drop the idle to 450 rpm. When in adjustment with a good shift cable it works very well. You might have to change your shift cable….

 

[alldodge]

This folk seemed to have a similar problem, but I didn't exactly understand how he solved the problem. Is there a usage method that I can avoid this happening?

Mercruiser 5.0 MPI idle issues; replaced IAC; bad part? UPDATE **Added Video**

Ever since I bought my 2005 used boat with a Mercruiser 5.0 MPI it's given some intermittent idle issues. The symptoms seemed in-line with a bad IAC. Usually it would just require a restart and I'd go on my way, but lately it started getting to where the boat wouldn't want to start and required...

forums.iboats.com

In that thread I took it as he was moving the throttle slowly in/out of gear. He change to move the throttle quickly.