Starting Issue,,, Neutral Safety Switch?

[feeez]

I think I may have an issue with the neutral safety switch on one of my engines. I have to constantly jiggle around with the shifter to get it to start and then "of course" sometimes it goes on the first try. The parts guy at our marina says that It may be just an adjustment. I have ordered a new switch anyway.

Can anyone lend any creedance to what this adjustment may be and how?

The transmission is a Velvet V drive.

Thanks
Fraser

[waybomb]

If the shifter is not putting the selector all the way forward or all the way in reverse, it won't hit the neutral detent either.

Cables stretch, joints loosen up.
You have the switch coming, so go ahead and replace it but also go through the cable adjusting procedures.

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost If the shifter is not putting the selector all the way forward or all the way in reverse, it won't hit the neutral detent either.

Cables stretch, joints loosen up.
You have the switch coming, so go ahead and replace it but also go through the cable adjusting procedures.

+++1 I agree with Fred

I'd also add that if you can't get a consistent cable movement/travel after making an adjustment, your cable is stretched as Fred mentioned and should be replaced.

One souldn't underestimate the importance of ensuring that the adjusment is such that the gear gets fully engaged all the way fwd and reverse othewise you will shorten the life of the tranmission.

Do you get a good positive detent/click when shifting into nuetral? If you don't you may have slop in the shifter too or need to tighten up the detend adjustment.

[feeez]

Correct me if I am wrong with this approach.
With the shifter all the way in forward I should assess the position of the selector at the transmission and do the same thing with the shifter in reverse. Would I then disconnect the shifter cable at the transmission end to see if the selector moves more in either position?

Viper - as far as the detent being positive I would say..... yes??? but I don't really have anything to compare it to as this my first boat with this setup. There is an audible "click" when the shifter is in neutral. Also when I am moving the shifters in and out of neutral while docking, for example, I don't have much difficulty with finding neutral. I do suppose it is worth a check though. I assume that this "detent" adjustment is in the shifter assembly on the dash?

Thanks for all the input guys,
Fraser

[After Taxes]

I replaced one last summer.
Tech said they get weak and sometime oil gets into switch thru ball bearing constantly being depressed. The inside of switch is

image.jpeg

immersed in trans oil. They are electricly operated, and an ohm meter placed on the two contacts will reveal if it has high resistance.

I have the Hurth ZF 2.5.

They take about five minutes labour to pull wires, unscrew and replace.

[After Taxes]

https://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1343

For more illustration purposes, here's a switch.

I didn't order online. I let my tech get it, but you can find the part number in your Hurth manual and with Hurth online.

I replaced the port side. Now wondering how long until the starboard craps out. Stuff happens in pairs or threes, as we all well know.

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost Correct me if I am wrong with this approach.
With the shifter all the way in forward I should assess the position of the selector at the transmission and do the same thing with the shifter in reverse. Would I then disconnect the shifter cable at the transmission end to see if the selector moves more in either position?......

Correct. Place shifter in forward, disconnect the cable at the tranny shift arm, then try to move the arm further in that direction. It should not go any further. Same for reverse.

Qr Bbpost....I assume that this "detent" adjustment is in the shifter assembly on the dash?...

Correct. If you're getting a good solid click, you should be okay as long as there isn't a bunch of play in the lever in that position.

[feeez]

I though I should wrap this one up......

So I did end up replacing the switch on that engine, and it work well for awhile. Then yesterday we were loaded up and ready to go and ..... no start

So I quickly make myself a jumper wire and jumpered the switch........ NO START ....

Fortunately on the mechanics at our marina was available and came to our rescue. SLAVE SOLENOID was gone. Replaced and off we went !!!!

Fraser