1993 Sundancer 290 Won't Shift

stnick

Member
Jan 24, 2010
43
Tn River River Walk Marina Decatur Al
Boat Info
290 Sundancer
Engines
454 Merc
350 trouble free hours, 454 Mercruiser Bravo One.

Attempted to go out this weekend and boat will not go in gear. Fwd or reverse just revs like I had the button pushed on the throttle. Boat has been winterized for 2 yrs in the slip. North Al so no bad winters here.
Bravo one, I can feel the cable(shift) moving in the housing down low near the starter, then it is too difficult to reach.
Never had a problem before. Thank you for any trouble shooting tips.

Nick
 
Can you feel a positive "snap" in the lower cable when attempting to shift into gear? Bravo's have a cone clutch that feels a bit like a detent when going into gear. If not and you can feel the cable moving in it's sleeve then would suspect a failed cable. If you can feel a light snap then you either have a mechanical failure in the drive or someone has borrowed your prop.
 
Can you feel a positive "snap" in the lower cable when attempting to shift into gear? Bravo's have a cone clutch that feels a bit like a detent when going into gear. If not and you can feel the cable moving in it's sleeve then would suspect a failed cable. If you can feel a light snap then you either have a mechanical failure in the drive or someone has borrowed your prop.
I didn't notice anything other than the housing felt the same at the top of the engine connection point as it did down low as I could reach. But then again I wasn't feeling for the snap. Will ck this weekend and report. Btw, I appreciate your help.
 
Could marine growth have built up to the point that the linkage is binding? Had this happen on an Alpha that sat several months in salt water without much use. I don't know if your drive has any exposed shift linkages or not, but the sat in slip for two years got me thinking.
 

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