Thread:

MerCruiser Shifter Control

A family friend is havin issues with their boat so I said I would lend a hand. I dont know anything about I/O's, but figured it cant be too difficult.

They have been having problems with the tilt switch burning fuses often and just recently, it left them stranded at the ramp unable to bring the outdrive up. It was continuously burning fuses when trying to bring it up. It would go down no problem. I had to go down there, pull the hydraulic lines, stuff them into the reservoir and force the drive up by hand to put in the chocks.

The shifter control unit seems to be the issue. The unit itself seems very flimsy/old/frail and the switch doesnt feel solid....So it might be a short in the switch. I actually have no idea. Any suggestions?

Its a Carerra 20.5 Elite Custom Edition with a MerCruiser Alpha One drive. The shifter itself is a Quicksilver.

Should I just replace the whole shifter and wiring? Any suggestions on what shifter I should get? or is this a common issue and theres a quick fix?

I am looking for a simple and cost effective solution. I dont want to replace it with a $800 blinged out billet shifter.

Heres a picture of the shifter:

I had that exact shifter and problem in my vector. Mine ended up being a chaffed wire inside the controller. If I remember right, there's a blue, green, red and purple wire. Blue was up, green down, red power supply and purple was the trailer button. My purple wire wore through where it left the handle and curved around the spindle.
Got this through Rex Marine. Teleflex 1700. I think it was in the $200 range.

Originally Posted by "Flat" foot'n

I had that exact shifter and problem in my vector. Mine ended up being a chaffed wire inside the controller. If I remember right, there's a blue, green, red and purple wire. Blue was up, green down, red power supply and purple was the trailer button. My purple wire wore through where it left the handle and curved around the spindle.
Got this through Rex Marine. Teleflex 1700. I think it was in the $200 range.

thats good to hear i am not alone and chasing down this issue. i assume the chaffed wire is repairable? I suggested the Livorsi side mount handle (Side Mount Shift/Throttle Control - CP Performance), but they said that was a bit pricey.

do you think this handle will do the job?

UFLEX B183, B184 & B85 Series Controls - CP Performance

I am looking at model 623-B184M

No room for a butt connector. I'm sure either controller will work. Make sure it has the trim and trailer mode.

B-Rad,

I may have a replacement wire harness in my old boat shop stuff, the set screw probably loosened up and it chaffed the wires all the way through the insulation...Common issue on these. 30 minute fix...

I'll try to reach out tomorrow...

cool. let me know. i am going to tear into it in the morning and see what i can find.

Originally Posted by Brad @ SCJB

cool. let me know. i am going to tear into it in the morning and see what i can find.

Don't break the plastic connector holder.....

There is an Allen set screw in the bottom of the lever, the button for neutral will pop out and there is a plastic trim piece that will come off and there will be a Phillips head screw in there holding the facia trim on. Keep an eye on the little metal rod in there, this will be the neutral lock, you will screw that up, but you'll figure it out...

Yup....

Originally Posted by Brad @ SCJB

Yup....

Easy peasy lemon squeezy....