Remote Control Neutral Button

[stclarke]

Hi all, this is my first post as I've just joined - so thanks in advance

I have an Alpha 1 I/O Mercruiser (circa 1994) with a Mercruiser (Quicksilver) Remote Control 88150A27. The problem is, I can no longer push the Neutral Button to disengage the drive when starting up.

I have taken the button off and sprayed inside with WD40 - no luck. I took the unit out on the weekend (left all the cables attached) put penetrating oil down the shaft - still no luck. I opened the back, and all looks well lubed and I could not visually see any loose parts, metal filings or anything (so, I'm thinking the whole unit does not need to be replaced) . The small shaft which the button pushes, seems to move in and out a little, so doesn't appear to be ceased.. I put everything back together again, but still no luck.. I'm at a loss to diagnose/repair the issue.

IF any one here has experienced this or knows how to fix it, I would appreciate any info

Thanks in advance

Stephen Clarke

 

[stclarke]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

I should also add that last fall, the lower unit was removed and replaced due to a skeg repair (and it was winterized immediately following).. could this have caused it ? Is there perhaps something that wasn't hooked back up correctly ?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Welcome to iboats......
I doubt whether having the drive off would cause your problem.....
Stick around, someone who is more familiar with your throttle will have some input......​

 

[tommays]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

You can ID the control(like commander 3000) and than get a manual BUT there not that well made and yours is pretty old and there are a LOT of parts inside it

If you have to pay someone to fix it work out much better just going with a new one


Tommays

 

[stclarke]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Thanks ! However, I have all the manuals and have printed diagrams off the web etc... The manuals mostly diagram installations, and any parts diagrams I have, really aren't helping either.. If I were to go with a new unit, any suggestions ?

 

[Windykid]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Does the small shaft move in and out without the button (manualy)??

 

[stclarke]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Maybe just 1/8th inch or so...

 

[Windykid]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Keep tracking it back.

 

[stclarke]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

As stated earlier, I removed the Remote Control, took the back off, looked for problems, couldn't see anything - but stopped short of totally taking it apart - so I have turned to this forum for help/advice before going that far.

 

[stclarke]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Any ideas anyone ?

 

[naturlm]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Based on watching my son fixing my 1986 alpha one quicksilver remote shifter this morning you could try something like follows:

Your problem is likely in the shift mechanism case located in back of the control handle, something is out of synch. Back off set screw on bottom of handle, remove handle, remove back side of handle to expose electrial trim wires, remove wire connector, pull handle off shaft. Remove quicksilver decal and behind the decal remove the four large phillips head machine screws. You may have to cut some wire bundle ties, but shift case should now fall down behind the shift handle shaft and be where you can open it out and look inside it. Lay the back of the case facing upward towards you so no parts fall out. Remove plastic and metal plates on back side of shift case. You should now be able to see a little metal plate, near front upper corner of shift case, held in by one screw. Remove the screw and behind it is a spring and plastic slide actuator. This spring is the one that provides the tension on the neutral push button located on the shift lever handle. Make sure the spring and plunger slide work OK and show tension up and down when the shift handle is located in the neutral or not in gear positon. Note: There is a large metal ball on a semi circuliar metal plate on bottom and near front end of the shift case. This ball bearing looking metal ball, about 1/2 inch diameter, should be in the largest notch in the metal plate, when you are in neutral position with the shift handle.

Hope this helps you figure it out get it working again. Lots of parts in the shift case and if your not mechanically inclined, take it to a good mechanic who I am sure can figure out how it works and reassemble....get it working for you again.

When my son started taking mine apart, I had a bad case of nerves, thinking he would never get it together again with everything working. I am a desk jocky, but grew up on a dairy farm. This kid inherited all my dad's mechanical talent and then some. His two older brothers are more like my wife, good at sales stuff. So goes life.

 

[stclarke]

Re: Remote Control Neutral Button

Thanks naturlm !

This is the most detailed reply I've received. I'll have some time to work on this on Saterday and will let you know how it goes.

-Stephen