Shifting problem

[Rranger]

1994 Mercury 125hp. Got around to setting up throttle and shifting cable today. when I started it it it was in gear even though remote said different. So I took cable off and when moving the shifter on motor there is no resistance moving it back and forth nothing engages or disengages. It slider both ways side to side and nothing? Pretty sure in forward, but is something behind the shifter on engine off so shifter doesn't engage? Also had no luck looking up the shifter on the internet for parts.

 

[Rranger]

I’m going to guess I have to pull the drive and make sure the outdrive and power head are in the same gear? And what would be the procedure to get them in the same gear.?

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, look at the yoke area, just above the gearcase. See if the upper and lower shift shafts are mated.

 

[Rranger]

R

Gee, look at the yoke area, just above the gearcase. See if the upper and lower shift shafts are mated.

I was wondering that. I should add there is a Bay leg extension kit between the drive and powerhead. Maybe got wrong shift shaft extension? Will be dropping lower unit today. I should also mention shifter control was in neutral and gearcase in forward gear the last time I put it together so could that be my problem? And when I reinstall with the lower unit and shifter control in forward gear end of problem?

 

[Rranger]

Took apart shifted the remote cable to forward same as outdrive put back together and powerhead is not shifting at all. Remote goes back and forth with very littls resistance.
So when my remote cable is off the shifter I should be able to shift on the side of the power head or not?. Right now I got no resistance there and the powerhead is doing no shifting. Is the shifter for the powerhead up under the cowling on the front? If I drop the cowling will I be able to see if something is broke there?

 

[Chris1956]

I would remove gearcase and set it to neutral. Also set the control to neutral and reinstall.

The reason is that neutral is a single point, vs forward which has a range for the shift lever to move.

You can install the gearcase with the control set to forward, which is also a single position, but the gearcase shift rod can turn freely when in forward at least 1/4 turn. It is very easy to have the shift shaft in forward turned too far CW, to achieve neutral.

 

[racerone]

Lower units are often removed with control in neutral.----Then the lower unit jumps into forward.----After assembly it does not work.----The head scratching starts.----But wait this is a common mistake.----Find the tutorial at the top of MERCURY forum.----Follow it and resolve this.----No need to pull your hair out.

 

[Rranger]

My problem is the shift mechanism on the side of the powerhead is not working. It doesn’t engage slides freely back and forth. It appears the lever coming off the mechanism, that attaches under the front of the powerhead above the cowling is not connected for some reason and that’s why I can’t shift the powerhead. So unless there is a better idea I’m pulling the cowling to see what’s going on.

 

[racerone]

Read post # 7 again.

 

[Rranger]

Racerone my bad, took cowling off looked good under. Did the neutral thing and and it’s all good. Shifts. Now adjust cables and should be good. Thanks to you and Chris1956.