DF140 -03 starting neutral issue

[paulrevere]

Question;
My 03 DF140, When trying to start, The shifter while in the neutral position needs to be "Jiggled" a bit, until the outboard turns over, It always does eventually but don't like any issues with starting..
I lifted the binnacle cover and everything is lubed but stopped there as everything works ok, and its the original binnacle, cables ect..fyi
what should I look at?
What should I proactively replace?
Any thoughts are welcome....

[artdf175]

Inspect the neutral switch
Under the cowling where the shift cable terminates
Could be out of adjustment slightly or the neutral switch could be going bad
This is designed to keep the engine from starting when gears are engaged
Art

[Harper]

There are two neutral switches. One on the motor, and one at the binnacle. Either one can be out of adjustment. Your statement that you can get it to start by jiggling the thottle lever leads me to believe that it's probably an adjustment issue.

[paulrevere]

Excellent, I'm on it this week, I'll get back w pics to post just in case.
Thanks again everyone....
PS-I'm out of boston and have 1200hrs on mine...

[Harper]

PS-I'm out of boston ...

Of course you are, paulrevere ......

Welcome aboard!

[paulrevere]

Lower unit wont slide off my DF140

Hi all,
so trying to get off lower unit, got all the bolts out including the trim tab one off, but still wont separate even with a chisel, It was off 4 years ago pretty easy, but alas,,
Where is the shifter position? forward-neutral-reverse? does its matter for it to release?
i'M trying to penetrant oil the seams constantly in hopes, unsure of the shaft splines are stuck up in the head or not, i remember putting tons of anti seize last time i did the impeller on the splines.
Heat? wood wedges and a bigger sledge hammer?
Thanks!

[redlowrey]

You do mean the bolt under the trim tab, get a thin spatula first and get a small gap and spray the two dowel pins and then something a bit thicker with a taper, don't use a chisel it will only damage the faces, what happened with your starting problem

[paulrevere]

thanks, and the starting issue got bumped down to my "do it next" issue!
ok, i ran out of cigars during the repair and couldn't focus!
I'll check for the bolt under the trim tab tomorrow and get back!
Thanks again!