60 hp merc efi

I just redid my dads boat. New floor , new transom, new wiring everything. We put on a gently used 60 hp 4 stroke merc with new cables and controls, tach and trim gauge. The engine is maxing out the revs on the tach. The trim isn't working properly (always says its down). I wired as per the diagram provided and the controls are supposed to be plug and play. My biggest issue is today when we launched it for the first time and started the engine it was in gear and almost gave my old man a heart attack. If I back off slightly into reverse than engage into neutral it stays in neutral. Any help or suggestions I'm all ears. I'm about ready to sink this boat.

Your best bet would be to see a Merc. dealer , it may be just out of adjustment.

It shouldn't start in gear. Something is not right there for sure. There is usually a safety mechanism that prevents the flywheel from turning when its in either gear.

S.

Merc, reliably unreliable. Neutral switch is not set up right because it's a safety feature that doesn't allow the motor to start while in gear and throw you overboard.

And that's what's getting me. The controller is out of package new, wiring harness everything is brand new from the engine to the gauges. Could it be a faulty controller? I'm calling the marina tomorrow where I bought this all from cause that's really bad. When I lift the throttle handle to neutral it's still in forward. I have to slightly tip it into reverse than back. I'm missing the old engine already.