Replacement neutral saftey switch

[75Century]

I'm looking for a replacement neutral saftey switch (original manufactured by McGill) for my 1975 Century with Mercruiser 165 Inline 6. This switch is no longer available from Mercruiser. Anybody know of a source for a comparable switch? Thanks

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

The neutral safety switch? In your control? Or are you referring to the shift interrupt switch? Or even the trim limit switch?

I ask because your neutral safety switch is a control box item... not really related to your engine.

Oh yeah - welcome aboard!

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

I had a similar issue. In my case, the throttle assembly was made by Morse but so long ago that it's no onger supported. Your best bet is to probably take the switch to an electronic supply house to see what you can match up.

You can allways search Morse and Teledyne, or whatever brand it is, but I thnk you'll find that it's just a simple switch.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Look here


http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ww...search&Ntt=Switch,+Snap+Action&N=0&sst=subset

Found one for mine from them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Why don't you guys wait and find out which switch he is asking about, instead of trying to WAG his answer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Why don't you guys wait and find out which switch he is asking about, instead of trying to WAG his answer.

Didn't he already say in the title of his post or am I missing something here?

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Pictures or a sketch would help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

If McGill is who made the switch, why not give them a call to see who is a distributor.

http://www.mcgillelectrical.com/catalog.asp?nProductsID=75

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don S
Why don't you guys wait and find out which switch he is asking about, instead of trying to WAG his answer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Didn't he already say in the title of his post or am I missing something here?

Ayuh,.... I think Don is Assuming again....

Those old shift interupt switches were tagged McGill......

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Ayuh,.... I think Don is Assuming again....

Those old shift interupt switches were tagged McGill......

I'm not really assuming anything, fishermark put the question out there right to start with, and yes, McGill did make the shift interrupt switches, along with about half of the newbies to IO's call the shift interrupt switch a neutral safety switch or something else completely wrong.
Few people even notice a neutral safety switch is bad.

It would also help if the original poster would come back and answer a couple simple questions that could help him on his way.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Ayuh,.... I Completely Agree,.....

 

[75Century]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

This switch attached to the inner transom plate by the shift level. The switch has two wire and a roller arm that rides on the shift lever.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

perhaps this will help...


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=290793&highlight=interrupt

edit. that is the shift interrupt switch you are talking about. it momentarily stalls the engine while shifting from fwd to neu. or rev. to neu. look in the adults only sticky at the top of the i/o forum for description of how and why it works.

the neu. safety switch in the remote control at the helm. it prevents any starting of the engine while the shifter is engaged in fwd or rev.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

I guess the next question I have for the OP is what is happening? Is your starter operating or are you having trouble shifting? If your starter is not operating, you are looking at the wrong switch and/or another problem completely.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

I had twin 165's and ran for years without that switch. My idle was 500 rpm's and it shifted and idled smoothly.With the idle rpm's over 550 I would recommend that switch be in operation.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

To the original poster - Bruce asks an important question: Why do you want to replace the switch?

If your engine is stalling out when shifting into or out of gear, then it isn't the switch that is bad.

If the engine isn't stalling at all and is difficult to get out of gear, then it may be bad... or it may need adjusted.

Let us know what your actual problem is and we can help.

PS - Forget trying to run without the switch - in spite of advice to the contrary.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

To the original poster - Bruce asks an important question: Why do you want to replace the switch?

If your engine is stalling out when shifting into or out of gear, then it isn't the switch that is bad.

If the engine isn't stalling at all and is difficult to get out of gear, then it may be bad... or it may need adjusted.

Let us know what your actual problem is and we can help.

PS - Forget trying to run without the switch - in spite of advice to the contrary.

That switch only operates when you shift into neutral, which will not hurt your gears in anyway as long as your rpm are low enough. I would be more concerned about dumping it into gear at a high RPM than the other way around.The switch does not stall the motor for that procedure. As I said I ran mine like that for a decade with no problems on a finely tuned set of engines.What is your idle RPM?

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

I have heard many customers say their engine ran perfect at idle, although when started, you could hear the miss. A compression check usually finds a cylinder at 0, or it may have a bad plug wire, or spark plug, but it's not running perfect.
A perfect running engine will have a real problem coming out of gear without a shift interrupt switch, that is why they were installed.
An engine with a miss, will probably come out of gear easily at low rpm without the switch. That is why diesels used on Alpha drives don't need a shift interrupt system, they run rough enough on their own.
Since we can't hear your engine, well, we only have your word on how well it idles, and if your method would work for anyone else.
There is always someone claiming something near impossible on a forum.

 

[75Century]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

Thanks ziggy - the link to the other forum thread appears to have all the info I need.

 

[75Century]

Re: Replacement neutral saftey switch

To bruceb58 - I need a replacement switch because mine is broken - plastic housing cracked.