This question is for a friend of mine. He has a formula 23. It has a 1986 Mercruiser 350 Mag. It starts up great, idles fine at 750rpm. It shifts into forward gear without any problems. As soon as he shifts it back to neutral and then puts it into reverse the motor shuts off. It doesn’t even sputter, it just cuts out. What can be causing this situation and how can I help him solve this problem. Not a good thing when trying to dock or leave the docks. Please post the answers

adjust or replace shift cable, im guessing that you are running an alpha drive, if shift cable is bad or out of adjustment the shift interupter will kill the mtr check adj first if that doesnt work replace cable but I tend to think just an adj should do the trick(because it only does it in reverse and not fwd if it did it in both Id say replace cable)

See if this helps:

http://www.go-fast.com/mercruiser_al...t_problems.htm

Ditto with these two guys!!!!

Thanks guys, i is an alpha and I was just trying to help him out

I replaced the shift interupter and new cables a little work but it works great now.

good luck

Sometimes you can temporarily fix it by adjusting the tension of the spring on the shifter bracket and shift interrupt switch by bending it.