[Threejakes]

Does anyone have the service recall for the Mercruiser Shifter Recall? Our boat [2000 Shabah 182 4.3L Alpha 1] has a problem with the shifter. It seems to stick in gear when you move the lever from forward to neutral. Then all of a sudden it will "pop" into neutral. I have also observed this happening when you move the lever from reverse to neutral. Any ideas? Does anyone else have this problem, and what is the "fix?"

When it was new I returned it to the dealer for this same thing, and he tested it and said it was OK-could not duplicate. He did NOT test it in the water, so I think when there is a load on the prop, as it would be in the water, it will stick in gear.

[Z 202]

Have a look at this thread: Throttle Control - Mercury recall

Don't know if it applies to your model though.

[Threejakes]

Z 202-- Thanks for the information. Our model year is a 2000, but I think the problem is the same. I needed the numbers, and I will compare those to mine and see if in fact that is the recall one.
I will probably replace the shifter if I cannot repair the original one. I suppose the parts are discontinued.

[indykoch]

I had this same problem... it's the shift cables. Over time, the metal cables wear areas of the plastic sheething away and causes them to stick, or not move as easy. This cable also "stretches" somewhat, and doesn't fully return to neutral.

It was somewhat expensive if I remember correctly, maybe $300-$400. But the shift movement is now like butter, and it doesn't stick in gear anymore. A 2000 is probably about due for them.

[Threejakes]

Indykoch- It's probably time [9 years] to do this, but this shifter has done this since day one. I'll see if changing the cable will fix this.
Thanks for the advice, it will be well taken. I'm sure that fixing the cable is a lot less expensive than switching out the whole shifter.

[Vacation Dave]

I had a problem with my original shifter and had to replace it. If you turn the engine off before putting it in neutral you need to pull a cotter pin on the shifter cable on top of the engine and then move the shifter back into neutral to get it started. Then replace the cotter pin.

[sundi]

Originally Posted by Threejakes

Indykoch- It's probably time [9 years] to do this, but this shifter has done this since day one. I'll see if changing the cable will fix this.
Thanks for the advice, it will be well taken. I'm sure that fixing the cable is a lot less expensive than switching out the whole shifter.

What did you end up doing? The cables or the shifter? I am having the same problem and I also imagine the cables are cheaper to replace than the whole shifter and everything that will have to go with it because what I am hearing is that that shifter is no longer available and you would have to replace the shifter and the cables to match up to the new shifter. I am looking for the cheap, quick way. Been out all summer, want to get in the last 4 weeks if that, it's a shame it runs great but don't want to get stuck and just now got the diagnoses.

[Threejakes]

I finally got it fixed! A mercruiser technician adjusted the "Kill switch" and it works as it should! As he explained it , "When you pull the throttle/shifter out of either forward or reverse, it activates the kill switch for a split second, thus removing the "load" from the out drive/propeller, and the cable easily pulls the out drive out of gear." When there is a load on the prop, it stays in gear. If you shut down the motor and then shift it, it does the same thing. Now I can bring the boat into a docking situation with ease/no embarassment! It's a simple adjustment on the linkage by the engine--took him 15 minutes!

[sundi]

Originally Posted by Threejakes

I finally got it fixed! A mercruiser technician adjusted the "Kill switch" and it works as it should! As he explained it , "When you pull the throttle/shifter out of either forward or reverse, it activates the kill switch for a split second, thus removing the "load" from the out drive/propeller, and the cable easily pulls the out drive out of gear." When there is a load on the prop, it stays in gear. If you shut down the motor and then shift it, it does the same thing. Now I can bring the boat into a docking situation with ease/no embarassment! It's a simple adjustment on the linkage by the engine--took him 15 minutes!

Well, that seems a lot cheaper and easier to do than replacing everything! I wonder if this is something I can do myself. When you say the engine, do you mean the motor or the outdrive? This would definitely be worth a try.

[Threejakes]

He adjusted the linkage on the engine next to the carburetor. He had a tool that allowed him to make the adjustment while the engine was running. I was not able to witness the actual adjustment as I was driving the boat. I suspect that you must have the boat in the water and running. I suppose you could do it yourself, but you would have to run back and forth from the throttle/shifter to the linkage to adjust. He was using small open end wrenches and made 3-4 different attempts to adjust the cable before he was happy with the adjustment. The whole thing took 15 minutes once we were on the water. I hope this helps. If you look at the linkage next to the carburetor it will all make sense.