I almost have to stand on my shifter to get it to go into gear. How do I tell if it is the cable or the control box? If it is the box would a used one suffice and where do I find such a thing? Its just on my old skiff so I would rather try to fix myself before I mess it up and have to take it to the shop. 2001 Mercury 50hp fourstroke. Thanks for the advice.
Disconnected the cable at the engine and the handle shifts very smoothly.
this takes a little dexterity, but with your foot, spin the prop, and with the cable disconnected, try and shift manually
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Also, when you disconnect the cable and try it, make sure that you maintain the shape of the cable (e.g. keep it in place, just disconnected). If you straighten or relax a cable that is binding, you may remove the bind and it will ‘appear’ to work just fine.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
With the help of my five year old I disconnected the cable, spun the prop and reached into the engine and pulled the shift lever. I don’t know if I did it right but when I pulled the lever into reverse the prop stopped. When I pulled the lever into forward it started clicking but kept rotating. It was hard to put into revese after awhile.
To make sure as to what palmer said I disconnected the cable but left it in its little plastic cable holder to ensure the same line. It still shifted smoothly when unhooked.
By the way thank you guys for the help
sounds like you did it right
if it was stiff going into reverse, thaat may be the location of your problem.
try cleaning up all the pivot points, and greasing them
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