1997 OMC Concealed Throttle Neutral Safety Switch

[dpellacani]

Hi everyone. I had trouble finding specifics on testing and replacing the neutral safety switch, so I thought I'd post this for others and I welcome any inputs to it. I've ordered the replacement switch and will replace it when it arrives.

Issue: On the first start of the day the engine would not start when in neutral. Only after a few tries of jiggling the handle would it start. I have a 1997 OMC REMOTE CONTROL ASSEMBLY - CONCEALED SIDE MOUNT throttle, connected to a 1997 Johnson 225 Venom.

High level steps:

1. Make sure the negative battery terminal is disconnected
2. I used the Seloc manual for my Johnson 225 Venom to check the ignition switch and Modular Wiring System (MWS) connector. Obviously a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) is invaluable to check the push-in choke and start, run, and stop functions of the ignition switch. For mine this all checked out perfectly, so I knew it wasn't a loose or corroded connection upstream from the NSS. If you have access to the NSS before taking apart the throttle you can verify you have a problem. If you are not getting any continuity with the throttle in neutral and the key in the start position, you can run a jumper between the NSS connections. In my case I just put a screwdriver across the two terminals and I got continuity, so I proceeded with the next steps, so I could verify the problem.
3. Take apart the throttle:
   • I disconnected the wires from the NSS first, but you can wait until later if you don't have access to it before dropping it down.
   • Remove the rubber boot from the center button
   • Remove the screw to remove the button
   • Push the exposed shaft in and move the throttle to reverse to expose the allen screw
   • Loosen the allen screw to remove the throttle handle, exposing 3 screws
   • Remove the three screws and support the throttle in the back to lower it down
   • You should be able to get access to remove the bracket covering the NSS
   • Remove the bracket and the throttle cam bushing that sits on top of the NSS
   • You can now lift out the NSS that is sitting on two plastic guide pins
   • I retested the switch once it was out. With the plunger depressed in, it will not have continuity on the DVOM, when it's not depressed it will have continuity. You will notice a depression in the cam shift lever(?) where the NSS will go into, when the throttle is in neutral. When the throttle is in gear, the NSS will depress, as it comes out of this depression.

My problem was that one of the connectors was starting to break and I needed to replace the whole switch, even though the switch was still functional. My NSS part number is 0173500.

Hopefully, the pics help and let me know if you need more.

 

[morganman310]

Re: 1997 OMC Concealed Throttle Neutral Safety Switch

Thank you for your post!!! Your post saved me well over $450 the dealer was going to charge me to replace the entire throttle. After following your steps I determined that the metal clip had come a loose from the switch. Popped back in and all is working great!

Hi everyone. I had trouble finding specifics on testing and replacing the neutral safety switch, so I thought I'd post this for others and I welcome any inputs to it. I've ordered the replacement switch and will replace it when it arrives.

Issue: On the first start of the day the engine would not start when in neutral. Only after a few tries of jiggling the handle would it start. I have a 1997 OMC REMOTE CONTROL ASSEMBLY - CONCEALED SIDE MOUNT throttle, connected to a 1997 Johnson 225 Venom.

High level steps:

1. Make sure the negative battery terminal is disconnected
2. I used the Seloc manual for my Johnson 225 Venom to check the ignition switch and Modular Wiring System (MWS) connector. Obviously a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM) is invaluable to check the push-in choke and start, run, and stop functions of the ignition switch. For mine this all checked out perfectly, so I knew it wasn't a loose or corroded connection upstream from the NSS. If you have access to the NSS before taking apart the throttle you can verify you have a problem. If you are not getting any continuity with the throttle in neutral and the key in the start position, you can run a jumper between the NSS connections. In my case I just put a screwdriver across the two terminals and I got continuity, so I proceeded with the next steps, so I could verify the problem.
3. Take apart the throttle:
   • I disconnected the wires from the NSS first, but you can wait until later if you don't have access to it before dropping it down.
   • Remove the rubber boot from the center button
   • Remove the screw to remove the button
   • Push the exposed shaft in and move the throttle to reverse to expose the allen screw
   • Loosen the allen screw to remove the throttle handle, exposing 3 screws
   • Remove the three screws and support the throttle in the back to lower it down
   • You should be able to get access to remove the bracket covering the NSS
   • Remove the bracket and the throttle cam bushing that sits on top of the NSS
   • You can now lift out the NSS that is sitting on two plastic guide pins
   • I retested the switch once it was out. With the plunger depressed in, it will not have continuity on the DVOM, when it's not depressed it will have continuity. You will notice a depression in the cam shift lever(?) where the NSS will go into, when the throttle is in neutral. When the throttle is in gear, the NSS will depress, as it comes out of this depression.

My problem was that one of the connectors was starting to break and I needed to replace the whole switch, even though the switch was still functional. My NSS part number is 0173500.

Hopefully, the pics help and let me know if you need more.
View attachment 177858View attachment 177859View attachment 177860View attachment 177861View attachment 177862

 

[dpellacani]

Re: 1997 OMC Concealed Throttle Neutral Safety Switch

That's great news! Thanks for letting us know. I respect the skills of the mechanics, but that's crazy money