Expert: Everett Peacock - 1/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have an 89 bluewater 18.5 foot boat with a 3.7 mercruiser. The problem is I took it out couple monts ago and the impeller went bad. I replaced it and ran great seemed to be running great. Then we had a week of really cold weather and now the engine won't start. The engine turns over fine I replaced the coil but I'm not getting any spark still. I have checked the distributer and all looks good. I'm at a loss at what it could be. Any help any one can give me would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: it sounds like the neutral switch is activating...if the lower shift cable is stiff it will trigger the kill switch...try to move the throttle back and forth...if you look at the engine the shift cable and kill switch are located together..

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QUESTION: Thank you that looks like the problem. How do I go about adjusting that back to where it suppose to be? Do I need to take the lower part of the out drive off again to get back in position?

Answer
you should be able to see the switch...it set in  V  grove in the middel it runs, if it goes to either side it kills the ignition..if the cable to the sterndrive is hard to move in and out it will activate the switch..cable must be replaced...pull the drive and replace the lower shift cable..