I would say that 2 out of 3 times when I slowly go from idle to reverse the
engine will die (or almost die but I put it back in idle). The other time
it goes into reverse just fine and I back on up.

Forward never seems to have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem?

--C
1987 Sea Ray Seville

"Ree-Yees" wrote in message
...
I would say that 2 out of 3 times when I slowly go from idle to reverse
the
engine will die (or almost die but I put it back in idle). The other time
it goes into reverse just fine and I back on up.

Forward never seems to have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem?

--C
1987 Sea Ray Seville




I think I remember you having a Mercruiser outdrive. If so, there is an
interrupter switch that very briefly kills the ignition to the engine while
shifting. It is a microswitch mounted on the rear, starboard side of the
engine and works in conjunction with the shift cables that run to the
outdrive.

It sounds like yours is working - maybe it needs a little adjustment, but
not necessarily.
Shifts should be made smartly - not slowly. Don't try to "ease" it into
gear or the interrupter switch will stall the engine.

Eisboch
Shifts should be made smartly - not slowly. It sounds like yours is working

"Ree-Yees" wrote in message
...
I would say that 2 out of 3 times when I slowly go from idle to reverse
the
engine will die (or almost die but I put it back in idle). The other time
it goes into reverse just fine and I back on up.

Forward never seems to have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem?

--C
1987 Sea Ray Seville

shift cable is bad

On Mon, 24 May 2004 07:48:18 -0500, "Ree-Yees"
wrote:
I would say that 2 out of 3 times when I slowly go from idle to reverse the
engine will die (or almost die but I put it back in idle). The other time
it goes into reverse just fine and I back on up.

Forward never seems to have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem?

===============================

Yes, it sounds like you have a Mercruiser Alpha I/O.

You need to get the shift interupter adjusted (best left to the
experts in my experience). The interupter switch momentarily cuts out
the ingnition when shifting. Another possibility is that your idle
speed is set too low.

What should I idle at? I have it set about 700 right now.

You are correct that inbetween forward and idle, idle and forward, etc the
engine cuts out and then back in.


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 May 2004 07:48:18 -0500, "Ree-Yees"
wrote:
I would say that 2 out of 3 times when I slowly go from idle to reverse
the
engine will die (or almost die but I put it back in idle). The other
time
it goes into reverse just fine and I back on up.

Forward never seems to have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem?

===============================

Yes, it sounds like you have a Mercruiser Alpha I/O.

You need to get the shift interupter adjusted (best left to the
experts in my experience). The interupter switch momentarily cuts out
the ingnition when shifting. Another possibility is that your idle
speed is set too low.

The service bulletin for my V6 specs the idle at 650-700 "in forward gear".

"Ree-Yees" wrote in message
...
What should I idle at? I have it set about 700 right now.

You are correct that inbetween forward and idle, idle and forward, etc the
engine cuts out and then back in.


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 May 2004 07:48:18 -0500, "Ree-Yees"
wrote:
I would say that 2 out of 3 times when I slowly go from idle to reverse
the
engine will die (or almost die but I put it back in idle). The other
time
it goes into reverse just fine and I back on up.

Forward never seems to have this problem.

Anyone else have this problem?

===============================

Yes, it sounds like you have a Mercruiser Alpha I/O.

You need to get the shift interupter adjusted (best left to the
experts in my experience). The interupter switch momentarily cuts out
the ingnition when shifting. Another possibility is that your idle
speed is set too low.

"Ree-Yees" wrote in message
...
What should I idle at? I have it set about 700 right now.


600-700 is about right. Hate to burst your fun, but I also agree with
another poster. You may need new shift cables. Not the ones from the
throttle to the engine. The ones that run from the engine down into the
outdrive. When these cables become old, they stick, preventing the shift
thingy in the outdrive from moving freely. The result is a slack in the
cable that holds the interrupter switch in too long, so the engine dies.

Your first docking attempt in strong winds and/or current will encourage you
quickly to get it fixed.

Eisboch