re: Suzuki Outboard Repair - Baton Rouge

From an outboard repair board, looks like neutral safety switch

LINK

Ok through some trial and error, I tentatively ruled out the keyswitch and helm neutral safety.

HOWEVER I discovered that even when bypassing the helm neutral safety, if I moved the shift lever just a bit, and tried to start - I could recreate the 4-2 code on the port (good) engine.

This makes me believe that the engine mounted shift position sensor (or possibly neutral switch sensor??) is the problem. You know, the 3 wired thing jammed up under the cables.

I have the service manual and it lists voltages, but without taking the side cover off this is going to be pretty difficult to get to while the boat is in the water. Any tricks to diagnosing, replacing, or just plain reaching the shift position sensor??? I can't even see where the plug is.

Of course, as soon as I decided it was this sensor and tugged on some wires trying to find where they went - went back to the helm and boat started right up. At this point I'd rather proactively replace both of these sensors so any tips would be appreciated.




After some digging I verified it was the simple neutral switch sensor (37721-93J00) on the motor end. I missed this the first time as the suzuki service manual listed the test procedure in a different section from the other "shift position" sensor.

$33 for a replacement switch, lucky this was on the starboard motor, the port one would be tough to get to!