Starting problems

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

OK so you can rotate the input shaft in neutral. You get no clunk or click when you try to start. Sounds like an electrical problem, not an outdrive problem to me. Still sounds like the neutral safety switch is engaged.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

You really need to get hold of manual 6 .Go here to view the manual.Boatinfo - The library, containing manuals, brochures and other technical documents from the last hundred years!

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

I turned the propeller engage in forward and reverse, and the u-joint turned. I think I have diagnosed my problem to the shift switch. Thank you very much for the help!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

Let us know what you find. Always interested.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

Here's what I found.

I installed the stern drive again, I made sure the little knob on the bottom of the stern drive matched up with the notch on the bottom of the bell housing. The lower (?) shift cable was in full throttle during installation, and gasket/oring was on. I then went to the throttle, tried maneuvering it forward and backwards. The throttle would not go in reverse. With some play trying to make the throttle go in both directions, I ended up reducing the resistance on the throttle significantly, and managed to get the neutral button stuck. The throttle now goes all the way forward and reverse.

The engine still does not turn on.

Can anyone diagnose this?

edit: When trying to start the engine, there was no "trying" to start. No mechanical bangs or clunks. Just plain no start.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Starting problems

Sounds like when you put the upper and lower drive together they where not locked into forward. The first time I did my impeller I had the same problem.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

Does this mean I should remove the stern drive, make sure the shift cable is in the full forward position, and do install the stern drive again? How will I get the throttle button out of neutral? How do you assure both drives are locked in forward?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Starting problems

You will need to split the drive again and follow the manual to put it back together.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

got it. thank you.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

Agree, The reason it would not go in reverse was that it was ALREADY in reverse. Split the upper and lower, turn the lower shift shaft (small splined shaft in front) all the way clockwise, and turn the prop COUNTERCLOCKWISE until it locks. You are now in forward. Use a bungee to hold CCW pressure on the prop and put it back together making sure that the intermediate shift shaft is pointed straight ahead. If you need to turn the prop to align the shaft, turn CCW only. Good luck. BTW still think you have a neutral safty switch problem.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

I think I have a neutral safety switch problem, too. When I removed the stern drive, I tried to fire up the motor. The motor did not start like it did earlier. Also, before installation of the stern drive, I checked the throttle to the shift cable, to see if the shift cable would move in and out as I moved the throttle forward and reverse. The shift cable moved in and out before, but now it would not. Do you think this is neutral safety switch related?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

If the cable is not moving now, then the throttle only button is pushed in, which disengages the shift cable from the control handle mechanism. The throttle should move, look at the carb to see. Your neutral safety switch should be closed now and he engine should start. The switch closes (and allows the engine to start) when either the shift is in neutral or the TO button is pushed and the shift is disengaged. You may have a bad switch.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

Where is the switch?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

Time to bypass the control. When you have it back together. Locate the slave solenoid (on the port side of the engine). Locate the red/purple wire on one of the large terminals. With a short piece of insulated wire, jumper between that terminal and the small terminal with the yellow/red wire. The slave should click closed and the starter should turn. You might want to pull the center wire on the distributor (from the coil) so it will not start. If it does turn over, look to the neutral safety switch.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

Where is the switch?

Inside the control I think it is #26 here http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...r=50&bdesc=REMOTE+CONTROL+ASSY+(W/POWER+TRIM) It is a micro switch that opens when the contol is shifted out of N without the neutal safety switch pushed in.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems

To my understanding, if it is the neutral safety switch, then that is located where I have been calling the throttle. Can I just go get any new one of these to replace it with something nice? I know I shouldn't get the dual one where it is for two different engines, but would it matter?

I'm draining the oil now and going to take apart the stern drive. Make sure all my seals, parts, etc. are put together correctly. Thanks for the help.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting problems

You don't have to replace the throttle, just the switch. It is not a real big job. Don has a manual that he may be able to link. I believe you have a commander control. First you must make sure that is the problem.

 

[saltydogjeff]

Re: Starting problems



Ok. So the two halves in the stern drive are put together correctly. I have that installed on the boat now. I have attached pictures of the control arm (?), I've been calling it throttle. I believe in the first picture is a picture of the neutral safety switch, attached by the two wires? The second picture is the other half, where I would like to dig into to understand the mechanics, but I can't get past the third picture. I took off the top plate (2nd picture) and couldn't figure out how to remove the bottom plate (3rd picture) which encloses another plate assembly underneath.

The control arm is a MerControl.

edit: does anyone have a diagram with a parts list?