Tiller handle won't shift gears

[Clinton37]

Hi everyone, I have a 1995 Mercury 20hp tiller motor. Runs great but the tiller handle no longer shifts the gears...but it does still control the throttle. The gear shift cables seem tight and move back and forth slightly when i twist the tiller handle but the gear cams don't move enough to change the gears. I can, however, manually shift gears by reaching around and turning the gear cams by hand. Of course, this wouldn't be practical out on the lake so i was wondering if anybody had any ideas of how to rig-up a gear shifter/lever for a motor like this. Of course, older models actually had the side mounted gear selector. Thank you for any ideas.

 

[gm280]

My opinion is to disassemble the unit and repair the problem. It was designed to work and there is a reason it isn't now. So take the time to fix the issue and you will have it working like it is supposed to. Rigging up some other shifting method is not the answer. JMHO

 

[flyingscott]

Did the jam nuts come loose? Did the cable jump? Access plate on the side of the tiller have you removed that? Is the linkage behind the carb connected correctly? Lots of plastic bits there. There is a kit to convert that to a side shift motor.