Getting Shifter in Neutral to Start Engine

THJeff

THJeff

Active Member
Jan 4, 2012
278
Lake St.Clair - Michigan
Boat Info
2000 410 Sundancer
Engines
CAT 3126 Diesels
Occasionally my port shifter has trouble getting in neutral to start the engine. Sometimes it starts on the first try and other times I need to shift back and forth several times before it catches. I never have this problem on the starboard side. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to solve this problem? Are there contacts in the shifter that can be cleaned or replaced? I'm just concerned it could get worse at some point and I won't be able to start the port engine.
 
OK just spotted this thread. Neutral switch is likely and can be changed. I would assume that you don't have DTS? But, your description needs some clarification. When you say it has "trouble getting in to neutral" are you speaking of literly getting the tranny in neutral? I'm thinking this isn't what you are saying. However, your cables can create tension where the shifter has trouble getting to neutral and some adjustment may be warranted.
 
Sorry TH, I didn't respond because I noticed you've got "Cat" power and I'm not familiar with these controls. I see you have a following now though. Good luck.
 
Certainly sounds like a neutral safety switch to me as well. I had the same problem on a different boat. Does it click into position and not start or are you having touble getting it to click into position?
 
Thanks everyone...we finally got rid of the crickets. The shifter has no problem actually shifting to move the boat. It clicks into position fine it just won't start consistently while there. It works fine moving the boat forward, reverse and neutral. I use my shifters exclusively when moving at minimum speed and docking with no issue at all. The only problem is getting the port shifter in just the right place in neutral in order for the ignition to fire on the port engine. Thing is, sometimes it works first try and other times I have to move adjust the shifter by jiggling, moving back and forth etc to get it to "catch". It's not a huge deal but as I mentioned, I'm concerned that if this is something that will continue to get worse, I may eventually be in a situation where I can't get the ignition to fire at all on the port side. Where exactly is the neutral safety switch (inside shifter presumably?) and how difficult is it to replace?
 
...and as for the DTS question, I'm not entirely sure. I certainly don't feel like I'm pulling cables; the shifters just move easily back and forth. The boat is 14 years old, so I'm not sure if it was available back then. Engine synch was an option, but the previous owner did not opt for it. But I would think engine synch requires some sort of digital technology. But the throttle is separate from the shifter, so seems like the old technology to me.
 
Last edited:
THJeff said:
...and as for the DTS question, I'm not entirely sure. I certainly don't feel like I'm pulling cables; the shifters just move easily back and forth. The boat is 14 years old, so I'm not sure if it was available back then. Engine synch was an option, but the previous owner did not opt for it. But I would think engine synch requires some sort of digital technology. But the throttle is separate from the shifter, so seems like the old technology to me.
Click to expand...
You are correct, DTS not offered until even after my boat year. I'm sure you have the shift levers on the left side of the steering wheel and the throttles on the right like I do. DTS combined the shift and throttles into one set on the right side..

I would assume the neutral switch is on the transmission, not in the shifter... I could be wrong. We'll wait for someone with firsthand experience to chime in and set us straight.
 
I have Hurth trannies on my 7.4's and the neutral safety switch is on the top of the transmission. It was actually EASY to get to and replace. You might also want to check the starter relay. Sometimes, mine doesn't kick in until the 3rd or 4th try.
 
Captain Allen said:
I have Hurth trannies on my 7.4's and the neutral safety switch is on the top of the transmission. It was actually EASY to get to and replace. You might also want to check the starter relay. Sometimes, mine doesn't kick in until the 3rd or 4th try.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Can you give me an idea what the neutral safety switch and starter relay look like?
 
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