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3.0 Mercruiser Shift assistant

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ETM84

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I have a 2000 Suntracker Pontoon with 3.0 Mercruiser inboard/outboard. Last time I took it out it while shifting into Forward or reverse the motor would not shift into gear. The motor would rev up high and then shift into gear but a very hard shift. When I got it back home I check my outdrive oil level which was really low but not empty. I topped it off and it seem to help it. My throttle controller has been real hard to move since I bought the boat so I replaced it I have to re adjust the shift linkage. I checked the both the controller shift cable and out drive shift cable for wear to make sure they are within the limits. Both checked out alright so I made my adjustment per specs. While in neutral, the prop spins both directions freely while in reverse the prop locks but forward it’s not fully engaging
The only way I can get it to fully engage in all positions is without the **** assistant mechanism on every time I put the shift system on my forward adjustment always goes out. It doesn’t stay adjusted is the shift assistant necessary to have? What exactly does it do? the boat shift properly and runs fine without the shift assist. any advice would be much appreciated as this is kicking my butt.
 
What exactly does it do?
If can prematurely wear the inside core plastic and lead to your issue

the boat shift properly and runs fine without the shift assist. any advice would be much appreciated as this is kicking my butt.

Will work fine like any other shift system
 
The shift assist is a spring system with a "neutral" position. When shifting into reverse or forward it pushes the cable end to its limit to assure engagement.

If it is causing issues then there is a cable asjustment or shift linkage issue.

If it does not cause full extension in either direction it could be the shift assist.

But based on the fact it works ok without it, its most likely something else
 
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ETM84 said:
I have a 2000 Suntracker Pontoon with 3.0 Mercruiser inboard/outboard. Last time I took it out it while shifting into Forward or reverse the motor would not shift into gear. The motor would rev up high and then shift into gear but a very hard shift. When I got it back home I check my outdrive oil level which was really low but not empty. I topped it off and it seem to help it. My throttle controller has been real hard to move since I bought the boat so I replaced it I have to re adjust the shift linkage. I checked the both the controller shift cable and out drive shift cable for wear to make sure they are within the limits. Both checked out alright so I made my adjustment per specs. While in neutral, the prop spins both directions freely while in reverse the prop locks but forward it’s not fully engaging
The only way I can get it to fully engage in all positions is without the **** assistant mechanism on every time I put the shift system on my forward adjustment always goes out. It doesn’t stay adjusted is the shift assistant necessary to have? What exactly does it do? the boat shift properly and runs fine without the shift assist. any advice would be much appreciated as this is kicking my butt.
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Disconnect the shift cable coming from the helm and shift into gear (both) manually. If you can do that successfully, the shift cable from the helm needs to be adjusted.
 
jimn said:
Disconnect the shift cable coming from the helm and shift into gear (both) manually. If you can do that successfully, the shift cable from the helm needs to be adjusted.
Click to expand...
Its not that simple or correct.

There is another post I included the proper procedure for adjusting the cables.
 
Because the OP doesent know what should be apparent.

I didnt see it as apparent either.

What you posted was an instruction to do something and if it did it then some other part needs adjustment. Which was and is incorrect.

1. Manually pushing or pulling the short shift cable into gear while control cable is not attached to shift bracket, Does not tell you anything other than the cable, shift linkage at bell housing and linkage in lower unit are working. It does not tell you either of the shift cables are adjusted correctly.

So what you said was wrong and actually meant nothing pertaining to his issue.
 
kghost said:
Because the OP doesent know what should be apparent.

I didnt see it as apparent either.

What you posted was an instruction to do something and if it did it then some other part needs adjustment. Which was and is incorrect.

1. Manually pushing or pulling the short shift cable into gear while control cable is not attached to shift bracket, Does not tell you anything other than the cable, shift linkage at bell housing and linkage in lower unit are working. It does not tell you either of the shift cables are adjusted correctly.

So what you said was wrong and actually meant nothing pertaining to his issue.
Click to expand...

How is it incorrect? If the helm control is disconnected from the shift mechaism on the engine and shifting it manually causes it to go into forward & reverse, that points to the helm control or the cable. It would be similar to an outboard with a shift lever, right?

I never mentioned disconnecting the shift cable that goes from the engine to the outdrive, only the one that engages the mechanism that's mounted on the engine, from the helm control.
 
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