Stuck throttle. 2005 Glastron MX 175 with Volvo Penta I/O

[chrismn1]

Scary thing coming in to my lift tonight: Throttle wouldn't go to neutral. Got stuck just before it with engine still in gear, so rammed a little into lift before turning off engine at key. Now it still won't shift into neutral. Button underneath handle that you push up with middle finger is stuck in the up position, but lever still won't move back to neutral. I can move it forward and back, but not up to vertical. It gets stuck. Tried pushing button but that didn't work either. Here's what the shifter looks like. I have looked at other posts and it seems I may just have to take the back cover of the I/O in back and start spraying everything with WD-40. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[dypcdiver]

Remove the cover from the drive leg to expose the shift mechanism, disconnect the shift cable by removing the split pin and washer. then try moving the shift pawl where it enters the drive. If it moves freely up and down then your problem is somewhere in the cable/throttle handle.
If it won't move with reasonable force then check the oil level in the drive, if that is good then get your credit card ready.

 

[chrismn1]

Is it possible to even start the thing with the throttle engaged (but at the lowest amount). I'm trying to figure out how to get the boat out of the water and to the shop if it comes to that?

 

[Pesimist]

If you can't do the troubleshooting that dpcdiver recommended, you won't know whether the problem is in the drive unit or the throttle/cable. Do you really want to run your boat if it is low on gear lube? You can by-pass the neutral switch. Have someone else at the controls, key on! use jumper cables from the positive terminal on the battery to the large lug on the starter, it will throw some sparks so make sure the engine compartment is ventilated (no fumes). When you get to your trailer, you've only got one shot without reverse.

 

[chrismn1]

Dear All, Thanks for the help. Had a neighbor tow me to the boat launch and trailered the boat to a good mechanic. Brought it in in the morning and had it back in the afternoon. The problem was a seal had popped in the back of the I/O area. The pushed the seal back in and adjusted the gear lube pressure. Works like a charm now.

 

[skydiveD30571]

and adjusted the gear lube pressure.

What in the world does that mean?

 

[muc]

My guess is that it was over full of lube. I will also guess, if a new seal wasn't installed -- it will pop out again.