Strange Shifting Issue - 4100 SCA

[cruzinblue]

Hello,

I have a 1997 41 SCA with Cummins diesels.
Last weekend, I had just started both engines (they were not hot) and getting ready to leave dock.

After we untied, I noticed the port side engine would not engage into either gear, forward or reverse. I was moving the lever just fine, but the engine never engaged.

I shut down, waited about 30 seconds, and restarted, then it worked fine.
This is very strange to me because I'm 99% sure those are mechanical shifters with cables.

When shut down, I asked my wife to shift while I went into the engine room and looked, and could clearly see the detent lever on the transmission moving as it should.

What the hell happened?? I am nervous this will happen again, sometime away from the dock, in the wind!

[mmwjr]

Hard to say. Did you check the fluid level of the transmission? If low it may not engage due to low pressure and once heated up the fluid expands enough to work.

[cruzinblue]

This tranny was just professionally serviced and has brand new ATF fluid in it.

[mmwjr]

IMO all the better reason to question it.

[cruzinblue]

The tranny rebuilder and a cummins expert have both inspected the entire system, have taken the boat for sea trials, and have approved everything.

That was last week. The boat ran great for a 1 hour cruise, then we stopped for the night, and I had the issue the following morning. But then after the re-start, all is well again.

I was hoping someone with knowledge of the system might know where another failure point could exist, and why re-starting the engine remedied the problem.

[mmwjr]

I don't have the knowledge to help you on this one but if were you I would be asking the folks who did the work your question. They are experts who know the system.