Boat shifts into reverse but not forward?

**fishNtails** · 08-24-2016, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by sloch24

You may want to list some details. Engine make/model, I/O, Outboard, Inboard.

I had a similar issue with my Mercruiser 470 IO. I ended up having to have the lower unit rebuilt. I think they said that the clutch dogs were worn. I was able to put pressure on the linkage and have the wife bring us in. The cable was fine.

It's a small block mercruiser IO. Worked fine the last few times. Yesterday he went out to B can to fish. He tried moving after little action and that's when it wouldn't engage forward. He was able to engage it manually somehow and then drove it back in without issue.

**sloch24** · 08-24-2016, 06:42 AM

Sounds just like my issue. Mine was a Merc Alpha One. As long as I held pressure on the shift linkage (bolted on the engine), it would run in forward. If I let go, it would pop out of gear.

Mine worked great until it didn't.... No warning.

It could be cable stretch and just need an adjustment. If it went into gear and stayed there for the trip in, he might get lucky with an adjustment. I wasn't so lucky.

**wakina** · 08-24-2016, 02:31 PM

There are 2 shift cables on those alpha out drives, one from the helm to the shift interrupter/positive neutral switch assembly and the second one from the same assembly to the lower unit. if he could hold it in by hand and get back then the shift cable to the lower unit is probably good. The cable from the helm to the positive neutral/shift interrupter assembly usually wear out where they make a bend going to the engine compartment. Usually a wire breaks and then eventually wears thru the cable cover and sticks out of the cover and will not let the cable move into the forward position. In other words it will move in one direction just fine but will not go the other direction once the shifter is in the neutral position.