I have searched and I am more confused. Can someone who knows firsthand how the ALPHA micro switch cutout works and wired. I have read it works off the – side of coil then read works off the + side of coil. I would like to get this fixed before I put the boat in storage this weekend. I don’t know if we got it wired correctly, that is why I am asking. When you put the boat in neutral you have to turn the engine off to disengage the drive then start it backup real quick. Makes docking a real fun job.

According to my wiring diagram, when activated the switch grounds the negative (-) side of the coil.

He is correct. It's very easy to wire. It's harder to get it adjusted correctly but not impossible. Another solution for getting it out of gear is get a lumpier cam.

Do both wires off the switch go to the - side of coil to ground it out?

In a word, NO. On the switch the Black wire goes to ground and the Gray wire goes to Neg. (-) coil. Actually the Grey wire on switch changes to White-Green at terminal block then is tied to Gray going to the Neg (-) coil terminal. This pulls the Neg coil to hard ground rendering coil output to null when activated. Hope this helps.

Most of the time the problem is the shift cable that goes to the out drive get's caked with crud. If that cable does not move freely that switch will not work right. Make sure the cable moves freely.

Thanks Glen. That only makes sense. It's not a cable problem I have dealt with that in the past.

Are you sure the switch is bad? First I would check switch continuity, it could be an adjustment problem.

This usually stalls the motor. The switch works off of resistance for cable to move.

Cut out switch roller adjustment


Cable adjustment
http://www.mercstuff.com/images/shiftcable.jpg