problem shifting into reverse

[tkite16]

I have a 1985 Mercury 90hp inline v6 on my bass boat. This week we were fishing and when I tried to put it in reverse it just kind of made a grinding noise and wouldnt kick in. I ran back to the marina and going forward it ran fine. When we got back to the dock we messed with it and while I put it in reverse my buddy pushed back on the shift cable and it went right into reverse like always.

Well we were 500 miles from home so we decided to run it again the next day and not ruin the trip since we assumed the shift rod was just out of adjustment. The next day it locked up and wouldnt go into reverse at all and sitting in what should have been nuetral it was still in forward gear.

Well again it ran fine in forward back to the marina. This time we pulled the cowl off and the shift rod had come off the pin that holds it.

WE put it back on and now i can pull it back into reverse but it still wont go into reverse . Does this sound like the shift cable is out of alignment or something more serious down in the lower unit??

If it is just a shifter cable can anyone explain how to reset it or am i just better off taking it to the shop and having them do it.

How much do you figure it would cost to have the cables replaced?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Triton21]

Take the cable off at the motor and try shifting into reverse at the motor by hand.  This will give you more of an idea where the problem.

you can do this without the motor started and making sure the key is off(and out of the switch) try to turn the prop by hand.  If it spins you got a lower unit problem.  

If you are mechanically inclined replace the cables yourself.  Not all that big a job.

Kelley

[CFFF 1.5]

If you aren't turning the prop when you are trying to shift into reverse it is going to feel like reverse doesn't work. I thought I had a problem with my engine because it didn't feel like it would go into reverse but it only felt that way when the engine is off. Make sure you are turning the prop when you try to put it in reverse.