Throttle control

[Richie Van Matre]

I need help! I either need to replace or repair my throttle controls. However, there’s several wires which I have zero idea of what they are? Does someone have any knowledge about these shift/throttle controls? Thanks to any and all who are able to help me.

 

[NorCal Boater]

That thing is a mess. If it were me, I would just look for a new one. Don't know about all of the wires but at least 2 of them a most likely the neutral switch. This prevents the boat from starting in gear.

Check eBay and try and find something from this century.
Shawn

 

[techmitch]

That thing is a mess. If it were me, I would just look for a new one. Don't know about all of the wires but at least 2 of them a most likely the neutral switch. This prevents the boat from starting in gear.

Check eBay and try and find something from this century.
Shawn

Easy big guy, I'll bet there's somebody here that can help. "Calling Dr. Moe, Dr. Larry, Dr. Jim"/moparlvr4406?

 

[Ike]

Looks just like the control on my 1972 SRV 190, except for the Neutral Safety Switch. Mine has a different cutout switch. One wire goes to the ignition Switch (the key) and the other goes back to the engine. It prevents your boat from being started when it is in gear. When the large plunger behind the throttle handle is pushed in and the throttle is pushed to forward or reverse (in gear) it disconnects the starter by opening the circuit. I have no idea if you will be able to find parts for that. I managed to find one on ebay about 8 years ago.

The black microswitch is the neutral safety switch

 

[Ike]

By the way, the control is made by Morse who makes a lot of controls for boats.

 

[Richie Van Matre]

Awesome. Thank you. That was very helpful. One more question. I’ve owned other newer boats. When starting a boat, normally I can control the throttle to rev the engine without engaging the prop. There’s usually a button or some function that allows that. On this throttle, I don’t see that function. Will my prop be engaged automatically when I throttle forward or reverse?

 

[Ike]

That is what the knob (button or whatever you call it) behind the throttle lever does. When it is pulled out, it disengages the drive, and you can throttle the engine up or down. When you push it in it engages the drive. Push forward on the throttle to engage forward, pull back to engage reverse. This control is not in the Service Manual, but similar ones are.

 

[Richie Van Matre]

Fantastic, thank you.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Easy big guy, I'll bet there's somebody here that can help. "Calling Dr. Moe, Dr. Larry, Dr. Jim"/moparlvr4406?

With all due respect Mitch, the OP stated he needed to "either repair or replace" his throttle/shift control. As a guy who just spent 4 loooooong years restoring and refurbishing a 1985, 23' Cobalt, I think it qualifies me to offer advice on this topic. Unless he is looking to restore his boat back to authentic condition there is no need to spend countless hours trying to polish a turd. Just replace it. I learned this lesson the hard way. He might even be able to find the same control, in better shape, somewhere on line. How did you know I was a big guy?
Shawn

 

[Richie Van Matre]

The wire diagram is very helpful. What is confusing in that there are 3 sets of wires running to the throttle. I’ll chase the wires this weekend and see where they connect to.

 

[techmitch]

Here's the wiring diagram that shows (in the red circle) The neutral safety switch. They call it the shift interrupter but it's the same.

This is incorrect. As you can see in the diagram, the shift interrupter switch is wired to the ignition coil to interrupt the ignition to remove the load on the outdrive when taking it out of gear.

 

[atrick]

a neutral safety switch prevents the engine from being started when in gear, a shift interrupter kills engine for a split second in order to shift in or out of gear, not the same thing, two completely different things. The two yellow wires are probably for the neutral safety switch.

 

[Richie Van Matre]

Thank you. I appreciate the information. I’ll chase the wires this afternoon. That makes sense now, being there’s three sets of wires.

 

[Ike]

My bad. Sorry, I was looking at the wrong wiring diagram. Glad you caught that.

 

[Ike]

Here is a link to the service Manuals on-line http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html
select manuals at the top and Mercruiser on the left side. Your year is Service Manual #2. There is a separate manual for the stern drives, service manual number 4. I just realized that I was still using Service manual #1 for my 72 engine, rather than #3 for my "new" 1978 engine.

 

[Richie Van Matre]

This is absolutely amazing help. Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you very much.