Mercruiser 4.3mpi - shift anticipate switch fault

[citygent111]

Morning all,

Took our new boat out this weekend and I found on a number of occasions it would cut out when I shifted into neutral. Starts straight up afterwards though.

We have the Vesselview bluetooth module connected, but being new to it all I never thought to check that for faults!

Anyway, I saw today that there was a fault registered, see screenshot.

Shift Anticipate Switch - seems to be the brains that kills the engine for a split second to allow the gearbox to move from Forward to Reverse - that's how I read it anyway, happy to be corrected!

I guess the fault is that the split second isn't working so it's just killing the engine?

Anyway, does anyone have any experience of this, and more importantly, of fixing it?!

Is it a simple job, or does it need a mechanic?

Any advice as always appreciated. Cheers

 

[spannerman]

First thing is to check the shift cable is adjusted correctly on the quadrant where the two cables meet on the starboard riser. If thats ok then its usually a sign that the short wire going down to the drive needs replacing, they get stiff with age and it triggers the interupt switch for too long. Its a drive off job and needs adjusting accurately after replacement.

 

[citygent111]

First thing is to check the shift cable is adjusted correctly on the quadrant where the two cables meet on the starboard riser. If thats ok then its usually a sign that the short wire going down to the drive needs replacing, they get stiff with age and it triggers the interupt switch for too long. Its a drive off job and needs adjusting accurately after replacement.

Great reply spannerman, thank you!

Now, as a general DIYer with basic skills - is there a drawing anywhere that will show me exactly what/where I need to be checking?!

And assuming that's ISN'T the problem, then it sounds like it's definitely a mechanic's job!!

 

[citygent111]

After a couple of hours of Youtubing - could it be the actual switch that's faulty? This video explains it better than I can!

 

[citygent111]

Managed to get to the boat on Saturday - the switch doesn't look like the one in the video above - mine is a grey and much easier to access!

Anyone had any experience of changing these switches? There seems to be a ton of them out there so want to be sure I buy the right one!

Thanks

 

[citygent111]

Jus tthought I'd update this thread in case it helps others in future - the lower shift cable needed to be replaced, that fixed the stalling problem. It does still occasionally stall, but the mechanic looked at the cable again and spotted that it is slightly kinked where I've squashed it against something! Generally though, it works fine now.