1988 90 HP Evinrude V4 VRO - OMC throttle issues

Firstly this site has been helpful since I bought my boat last summer. It's a 17.5' Sylvan with motor mentioned in the title. I'm not experienced working on motors at all so I need your help. So here's the problem. I launched the boat Friday and of course wanted to go for a little run to see how things are after the winter. Everything seemed great until I was coming into my dock to tie up. The throttle (OMC) got stiff and I couldn't get it out of gear even though the throttle lever was moving back in forth - forward and reverse. No response other than an occasional change in speed but not gears. I was in the boat just a short while ago and was moving the lever back and forth and it seemed to glide easier the more I worked it. Wen I first tried dry starting the motor to see if the prop turned (in gear) it was. after playing with the throttle lever and leaving it in neutral tried dry start again and no prop turn. So now it seems ok because it's back in neutral where it should be according to throttle position. SO time to try a wet start to see if we can get the boat moving and the idle revs are through the roof. So shut it down and tried a couple times but same issue. From the threads I have checked here I'm thinking throttle/gear cable issues. Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated. I'd go to a mechanic but at this time of year where I live I'll be waiting for a month just to have someone look at it.

Re: 1988 90 HP Evinrude V4 VRO - OMC throttle issues

Take off the cover and have someone work the gear/trottle handle while you watch what happens.

You should see the gear shift move first and then the throttle. All the linkage is on the Starboard (right) side.

Re: 1988 90 HP Evinrude V4 VRO - OMC throttle issues

Thanks DJ. I'll give it a go tomorrow. I had a friend out today and we were trying that. The gear shift was moving but I don't think the throttle was. If that's the case (I'll double check tomorrow) what does this mean? Broken cable?

Re: 1988 90 HP Evinrude V4 VRO - OMC throttle issues

You need to make sure it is not an engine issue: Easy way to test it. Disconnect both cables at the engine end. (pretty easy.) Shift the handle back and forth and see if it is smooth. Also, look at the cable ends back at the engine when you are shifting the throttle handle. Make sure they are both moving. If the throttle is still stiff while disconnected from the engine, you know it is either the control box or the cables. If it is still stiff when the cables are disconnected, you'll have to pull the control box apart. Remove both cables from the control box and check them to make sure they move freely before decide to tear into the innards of the control box. Remember to keep the warm up lever flat/parallel to the top of the box.