350 Mag DTS no power problem and resolution

[Espos4]

Heres a problem I encountered last month and how it was resolved. Hope it helps someone in the future.
2007 240 Sundeck 350 MAG BIII W/DTS

Engine started fine, but 3 seconds after shifting into forward, the smartcraft alarm beeps and a shift error shows on the screen. Same thing when shifting into reverse.
Return to neutral and the alarm stops.

I could shift to forward and accelerate normally for about 3 seconds (hitting almost 3,000 rpm) and then the alarm would sound and rpm would be limited to 1,200 regardless of how much throttle I gave it. I could repeat this over and over.

If I pressed the “throttle only” button, I could rev well above 3,000 rpm in neutral without a problem.

The neutral switch had gone bad.

It’s right near the shift motor, has a 2-wire connector and a white plastic pin that pops out whenever you’re in gear (forward or reverse).

In neutral, the pin is pushed in by the shift arm and you’ll have continuity on the 2 wires.
In gear, the shift arm moves away, the pin is popped out and you’ll have an open circuit on those 2 wires.

The switch failed and had continuity all the time regardless of the position of the pin. Basically it told the ecm that it was in neutral even when Drive was engaged.

So I was 4 miles from my home port, heres what I did.
I cut the wires between the switch and the connector, twisted them together, bypassing the switch.
I shifted into drive, and quickly (within 3 seconds) separated the wires to make an open circuit.

I was able to cruise home with no problem. The only error that I got was when I was back at the dock and shifted into neutral for more that 3 seconds.

I replaced the switch and all is well once again. I did have one instance of the shift error popping up very early this season. It only happened once and I couldn’t duplicate it all summer.

Hope this helps one of you guys some day in the future.

 

[Espos4]

As a follow up, after i removed the old switch, I banged it around a little and pressed the button 30-40 times.

After that, it seemed to work better but still had some issues with not working properly according to the ohm meter that I was using for testing.

Here are 2 pictures to better indicate the location of the switch and actuator.

 

[Espos4]

So 2 seasons later and the same problem occurred.

I launched 3 days ago and was leaving the ramp heading out for a 1 mile trip to the dock. 3 seconds after shifting out of neutral, the “shift error” came on with the steady fault tone.

With the boat in forward, i opened the engine hatch and just unplugged the neutral switch. The beeping stopped and didn’t return until I was docking.

I installed a replacement switch yesterday and all is well once again.

 

[redlightning]

Hey Epos4 or anyone, wondered what your thoughts are on this shift error issue.
I can pull out of my slip and maneuver thru the marina and to the gas dock with no alarms.
After running across the lake throttle engaged for a while maybe 15 to 30 min when I throttle down to neutral all good no alarm. Then when i shift into gear at idle i get an alarm and shift fault. When i get the alarm/error the starboard motor neutral light is on or will even intermittently be on or even flicker on and off. I shift to neutral and alarm and code disappears. I can continue maneuvering to my slip or to where i want to anchor and after a couple of minutes and several shifts in and out of gear maneuvering at idle i get no more alarms or error codes. never get the impression during these alarms the drive is not engaging. always seem to have control.
I am thinking the neutral switch mentioned. maybe it being depressed for a longer period or some heat build up.
Thanks for any suggestions or feedback.

 

[Sollly]

Hey redlightning. I am having the same issue as you. Did you ever get it resolved?

Thanks
Rob

 

[Espos4]

Hey redlightning. I am having the same issue as you. Did you ever get it resolved?

Thanks
Rob

The neutral switch is a fairly easy replacement and a common cause of the issue described.

 

[Espos4]

Hey Epos4 or anyone, wondered what your thoughts are on this shift error issue.
I can pull out of my slip and maneuver thru the marina and to the gas dock with no alarms.
After running across the lake throttle engaged for a while maybe 15 to 30 min when I throttle down to neutral all good no alarm. Then when i shift into gear at idle i get an alarm and shift fault. When i get the alarm/error the starboard motor neutral light is on or will even intermittently be on or even flicker on and off. I shift to neutral and alarm and code disappears. I can continue maneuvering to my slip or to where i want to anchor and after a couple of minutes and several shifts in and out of gear maneuvering at idle i get no more alarms or error codes. never get the impression during these alarms the drive is not engaging. always seem to have control.
I am thinking the neutral switch mentioned. maybe it being depressed for a longer period or some heat build up.
Thanks for any suggestions or feedback.

Sorry, I never saw this when you posted last year. I though I had notifications turned on but I guess it wasn’t.

 

[Sollly]

The neutral switch is a fairly easy replacement and a common cause of the issue described.

Thanks Espos
I have a spare Neutral Switch, just haven't put it on. I kind of thought that since the issue was intermittent it wouldn't be the switch. I guess the old switch could be flaky so I'll put it on and test the old one.

 

[Sollly]

My notifications don't seem to be working either. Double checked and everything is checked. Hmm.

 

[Espos4]

Thanks Espos
I have a spare Neutral Switch, just haven't put it on. I kind of thought that since the issue was intermittent it wouldn't be the switch. I guess the old switch could be flaky so I'll put it on and test the old one.

Both times I had the issue, I had intermittent occurrences as well, until it finally crapped out for good.

 

[Sollly]

Got it.
I will replace this weekend. Thank you!!