Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

[tmh]

Sort of hard to describe, but I'll try. Alpha one drive 1985 build. When I take off throttle works fine, but then I want to ease back to lower planing speed I have a problem. The throttle control feels like it's on a spring so as I ease back, it wants to spring forward and would if i let go. then it breaks through the spring feeling and slows all at once causing a jolt. Then I can advance to around 2/3 throttle but any more and I have the same issue when slowing.This causes obvious problems for both riders and especially while water skiing or the like.

A mechanic where I was vacationing briefly looked at the throttle linkage at the engine and says he thinks it's fine. His quick opinion is most likely the problem is worn out parts in the throttle control box at the control handle. Mine is mounted on the opposite side of a 3/4" trim board from the handle. I have never even looked at it as I wouldn't know what to look for. The mechanic said more than likely the box needs replacing.

Can anyone offer ideas on this? If it is the control box, about how much $$$ is the part? Is used OK or should I buy new and from where? Aftermarket parts or merc only? How hard a DIY job to replace this for a novice? How long for a Merc mechanic to do the job?

Thanks.

 

[tarheelebbtide]

Re: Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

Have you taken the throttle cable loose from the linkage and checked movement of just the cable itself?

 

[tmh]

Re: Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

We did do thid, with just fingertip resistance on the cable and it still stuck then "popped" as described. It's a bit of a different feel, but I think that's due to not placing the same resistance on the cable as the linkage does.

I see some used throttle/shift controls on eBay for $180 or so, one is guaranteed to work fine. It looks just like mine (from memory, as my boat isn't right here now) and is a Quicksilver model. It has cut cables so I'd have to use my existing ones, which i assume isn't a problem. Some others come with cables but cost a bit more.

 

[tmh]

Re: Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

OK, I'm still debating what to do here.....I tested some things and am now sure the problem is in the throttle control box somewhere. Not knowing in detail what might be wrong, I may go ahead and buy a used one off eBay. I'll then most likely have a mechanic install it as i don't know anything about doing it and it needs to be correct....forward, reverse, trim, etc. I'm just wondering if I need to replace the cables also?

There's one on eBay that looks identical to mine. I'm interested to hear if anyone thinks this is an easy DIY install to save me some $$$? Any specific part of the controller most likely the issue that may not require replacing the whole unit?

Thanks

 

[hard-3]

Re: Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

the trouble with buying one on ebay is it may be worse than what ya got. A lot of the sellers are parting out junk boats and have no idea if thet are good parts or not. depending on the exact modelll some replacement parts may be available from your mercury dealer or online from mercruiser parts folks. Depending on the age your control might have to be replace cables and all because they switched style of ends at some point. It may not be the control but a worn throttle cable that is binding in the cable housing. look at some of the online parts suppliers and you can find an exploded view picture of the control to help you figure out what is worn.

 

[tmh]

Re: Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

Thanks. Unfortunately, not much online that shows specifics of my unit internally. I am fairly sure it is the control box though.

As far as eBay goes, I am very experienced on eBay and will ask the questions needed to make sure it's a good working unit. I buy only from top feedback sellers, and only if they can answer specific questions. I'd rather get advise here on how difficult it is to swap one box for another that is the same. Any idea on this?

I may put this off until the off-season and tackle it myself. I hate to do this sort of thing during summer as i tend to take a long time, so I use the mechanic. However, it's not much longer until summer ends here, unfortunately.

 

[hard-3]

Re: Throttle control "sticking" when slowing

depending on which control you have , it's not that bad. Also depends on how the control is mounted in the boat. The control in my boat was not that bad to remove once I got all the interior trim removed so I could actually touch the control. On my boat it had a plastic trim cover around the shifter handle that removed to get at 4 bolts that had nuts on the back side of 3/4 plywood side trim a litttle tight to get to once I got it out then it was not hard to get at internal workings...... mine had a shift arm inside the control that had come loose from cable and jumped out of place not letting it work cable . not a big deal to fix