Help Diagnosing

[Hydrostream200]

I have a 1991 Mariner 200hp. I have been experiencing trouble when shifting from neutral into both forward and reverse gears. When shifting the motor wants to bogg out and quit but it will sometimes allow you to go if you start the motor when in gear but that is only on occasion. I have gone over all of the fuel system from tank to pumps, filters to carb. once when I did get it into gear I had someone else take the helm while I attempted to put on the cowl and I got a strong shock. I checked my plug wires and found a slice in one of the plug wires that I had assumed was arcing to the cowl but still no luck once I fixed it. Any ideas on what could be doing this? I'm at the end of my string and concidering on making it into an anchor off the end of the dock. would a shift solinoid cause this?? maybe stator?? any help would be greatly appreciated....
Thanks, Mike.

[Steve Pope]

Its is probably a faulty shift switch or module.These are located on the shift cable bracket on the port side of power head. Steve

[Hydrostream200]

steve, I have gone over the port side of the engine with no success. The entire shifting system on the block appears to be completely mechanical. I haven't been able to find anything electronic in terms of a module or switch unless it is gone entirely. Was there any other places which they hid them? mike

[terry taylor]

hi. increase the idle rpm,s thanks.

[flabum1017]

Idle RPM in gear should be 650 - 750. Check to make sure your float levels are not too high, check your link and syn and idle timing.

[Wayne Cammidge]

Check your carbs carefully, pay special attention to the idle circuits.
Those models may have had an enrichment system that has heat related and connected to the cyclinder head, check that.
Then check compression, new plugs.
If all that fails check the gearbox that it is not loading, check quality of oil. No chips of metal and does it smell.

[kingsbiship]

If that fails... advance your idle timing!

[Hydrostream200]

Thanks for all the advice so far.. I have changed the timig modual but it did nothing. I am in the process of tearing down the carbs to have them gone over and will be going over everything else that has been suggested. I will re-post the results as soon as I have it back together. Thanks again for all the help...
Mike