No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

[KENCARY]

Hi all. I am new to this forum, but an experienced boater. I will introduce myself on the newbie section, but for now I need help on a problem.

Upon getting ready for the season, I found that I cannot activate the throttle-only mode when I push in the black button. The throttle works smooth and properly when in gear, but not even slight movement at the carb linkage in the throttle-only mode.

The black button moves freely and feels normal, I see very slight movement on the cable where it enters the control box.

My Clymer manual has only wring diagrams for the control units and based on these pictures, it appeart that I have either the "Commander" Side-Mount Control A-76334A or what they simply call "V-6 Remote Control With Alarm Horn"

This is the older type of control that has the round til trim buttons on the side of the control handle. My engine SN is 5239633.

I read one post on this forum of a similar problem but it his issue was a broken button and it was on a newer style control.

I am planning on pulling it off and looking at it but in the meantime I have some questions:

1. Does Merc make replacement parts for these old control units?
2. Does Merc make a 100% compatible replacement control?
3. If no to above, which one is closest? Will my cables work? I am fine with splicing wires to match my old connector, but I want to keep existing throttle & shift cables as they are nearly new.
4. Can one of you send a link or a PDF of the diagram on my old control unit?

Thanks in advance, any help would be appreciated.

Ken

 

[sschefer]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Sounds like you have the type of contol without the separate warm up lever. Grab the throttle lever and pull outward. It should then allow you throttle up without risk of going in gear.

The black button keeps allows you to move the throttle when it's in gear. Pulling out disengages the shift linkage and allows you to throttle up.

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Update:

I pulled the control and looked inside. The black button and it's plastic shaft are fine and when I push in the botton it does in fact engage the metal pin that contacts the throttle cable plate.

The problem is that the throttle cable only moves about an inch compared to 4" or more in the forward mode. This small amount of movement is only enough to take of the normal stretch in the cables and the linkage does not move at the power head.

I only looked into the control box via the cable access plate. I am afraid that if I undo the allen scews all the parts will pop out and I'll have a hard time getting them back in.

Before I tear apart the contol box, I'd like to hear from any of you that know more about these controls. I'd also like to see an exploded parts drawing before I go further.

BTW: Yes I do have the type of control that does not have a seperate warm-up lever. It has a black button in the center of the pivot point of the control arm that somehow disengages the shift and allows the throttle to operate in neutral when the lever is pushed forward. I am not sure what SSchefer means by pulling outward on the lever, but the button is not stuck. Something else is going on with either the control, the cables or something else.

If I can't fix this thing, I am thinking about buying a universal side mount control from Teleflex or someone else.

I may just button this thing up for the day as the it is 95 deg in the shade and I am dying trying to work on my boat in the sun.

I look forward to any words of wisdom.

Ken

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Update:

I pulled the control and looked inside. The black button and it's plastic shaft are fine and when I push in the botton it does in fact engage the metal pin that contacts the throttle cable plate.

The problem is that the throttle cable only moves about an inch compared to 4" or more in the forward mode. This small amount of movement is only enough to take of the normal stretch in the cables and the linkage does not move at the power head.

I only looked into the control box via the cable access plate. I am afraid that if I undo the allen scews all the parts will pop out and I'll have a hard time getting them back in.

Before I tear apart the contol box, I'd like to hear from any of you that know more about these controls. I'd also like to see an exploded parts drawing before I go further.

BTW: Yes I do have the type of control that does not have a seperate warm-up lever. It has a black button in the center of the pivot point of the control arm that somehow disengages the shift and allows the throttle to operate in neutral when the lever is pushed forward. I am not sure what SSchefer means by pulling outward on the lever, but the button is not stuck. Something else is going on with either the control, the cables or something else.

If I can't fix this thing, I am thinking about buying a universal side mount control from Teleflex or someone else.

I may just button this thing up for the day as the it is 95 deg in the shade and I am dying trying to work on my boat in the sun.

I look forward to any words of wisdom.

Ken

UPDATE #2

I undid the allen screws and took off the control cover and at least the parts did not fly out.

I don't see any broken parts and everything seems well-lubed with no corrosion. I can't see the mechanism that drives the idle-only throttle without taking the whole thing apart.

I need a copy of the exploded assembly drawing before I do anything else. Can somone get that to me?.

Any other comments on a replaceent control that will work with my exsisting cables?

Ken

 

[sschefer]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Ken, the symptoms about the throttle movement are very similar to those that happen when you get the cable ends swapped at the engine, (IE throttle on the shift and shift on the throttle.)

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

I appreciate the thought, but it was working at the end of the season, so I don't see how the cables could be swapped.

Perhaps the something is jammed inside. Without a drawing, I am not thrilled about pulling the thing apart.

Ken

 

[roncoop75]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

I've got almost the same remote with the same problem. The PO covered the button with a plate and went without it.

This is unacceptable to me so I want to replace the entire controller. Problem is, I don't want to replace my cables and I don't know which remote would be an easy swap.

Oh, and instead of a button or lever, some of the remotes required you to pull out on the throttle lever to engage this function. That's what was mentioned in one of the posts above...

If anyone knows what would be an acceptable "easy" swap out for that controller, PLEASE SPEAK UP! It would help two people out.


Thanks in advance.

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

I've got almost the same remote with the same problem. The PO covered the button with a plate and went without it.

This is unacceptable to me so I want to replace the entire controller. Problem is, I don't want to replace my cables and I don't know which remote would be an easy swap.

Oh, and instead of a button or lever, some of the remotes required you to pull out on the throttle lever to engage this function. That's what was mentioned in one of the posts above...

If anyone knows what would be an acceptable "easy" swap out for that controller, PLEASE SPEAK UP! It would help two people out.


Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the reply.

At least I know I am not crazy. For a while I was wondering if I was imagining this problem. I will try to post the drawing of my control from the Clymer manual so that others can at least understand what these old controls look like.

I don't know how you get your motor started if the PO covered the button. I can never get my V6 going without some throttle-- especially the first start after a few days.

I actually would prefer a universal control that had a separate idle lever like the Johnsons.

I don't even care about tilt & trim-- I would be fine adding separate buttons for that if need be. The big issue is shift and throttle.

 

[roncoop75]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Here's the conclusion I'm starting to come to.

There is no direct replacement for an old controller. If you have a broken one, chances are you're not going to find parts. You can buy a new controller, and in our case, we have mercury cables, so a new controller will probably work with the cables (if you stick with a mercury one), but the wiring, that's not going to completely match up.

So, find an old one used (good luck), or buy new and do some cobbling.

Heh, there are times when being an electronic tech comes in handy, this may be one of them....

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Here's the conclusion I'm starting to come to.

There is no direct replacement for an old controller. If you have a broken one, chances are you're not going to find parts. You can buy a new controller, and in our case, we have mercury cables, so a new controller will probably work with the cables (if you stick with a mercury one), but the wiring, that's not going to completely match up.

So, find an old one used (good luck), or buy new and do some cobbling.

Heh, there are times when being an electronic tech comes in handy, this may be one of them....

Roncoop,

I think you and I are on our own here. We must be the only ones on the forum with any knowledge of these old controls.

I am going to call Mercury for their advice.

Wiring is actually really an easy thing. I have the wiring diagrams for the control and would be happy to post them or PM them to you.

There really are not that many circuits in the controller. All you have to do is tag each of the wires in your harness before cutting off the old plug.

Tell me the year of your engine and I will see if I have the wiring diagrams.

In the meantime, if anyone out there has any suggestions, we are both all ears.

KenMerc175

 

[roncoop75]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

I have the factory service manual for the engine. So I'm good with the diagrams.

I was out looking at the boat today and I noticed something coincidental (or maybe not) about the engine end of the wiring harness. It's got an 8 pin plug on it. If I look online at mercury controls I find that I can order one with tilt, a warm up lever, a key and a choke switch on the key, and a few wires in the harness that transfer signals for the tach and other accessories. So basically it'll do everything that mine does.

I'd bet my next paycheck that most, if not all, of those wires in that "standard 8 pin plug", as it's listed online, are the same pin-out as my current control. I'm considering ordering a new one, ohming it all out to make SURE it's the same and going with it. If I looked long enough I may find parts or an exact replacement but the thing is 25 years old and it looks and feels like it. Time for a new one!!!

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

Please tell me which controls you are looking at as candidates so that I can look a the same ones and compare notes with you.

It would be nice to have the same plug pin-out as my old one to avoid the extra work of splicing etc.

Ken

 

[KENCARY]

Re: No Throttle-Only Mode on '73 175HP V6 Control

I have the factory service manual for the engine. So I'm good with the diagrams.

I was out looking at the boat today and I noticed something coincidental (or maybe not) about the engine end of the wiring harness. It's got an 8 pin plug on it. If I look online at mercury controls I find that I can order one with tilt, a warm up lever, a key and a choke switch on the key, and a few wires in the harness that transfer signals for the tach and other accessories. So basically it'll do everything that mine does.

I'd bet my next paycheck that most, if not all, of those wires in that "standard 8 pin plug", as it's listed online, are the same pin-out as my current control. I'm considering ordering a new one, ohming it all out to make SURE it's the same and going with it. If I looked long enough I may find parts or an exact replacement but the thing is 25 years old and it looks and feels like it. Time for a new one!!!

Roncoop,

Did you ever get a new control from Mercury?

Which one and how did it work out?

Ken