Control box issue?

[Besegen]

I posted a week ago about a problem I was having getting in reverse. To put it simply when I adjust the linkage it naturally should line up to engage the gears like: R <--- N---> F But I can't get the adjustment to put the boat in reverse until I have already taken forward and neutral out of adjustment so its acting more like this: ----- N ---> F -> R .

My guess is that my shift cable is bad...either stretched to a point its pushing my neutral and forward adjustment on the cable pull too far down the line <------ that way or its really weak in a way that it is absorbing some of the cable travel on the push to reverse leaving my adjustment for it too much -----> this way.

I ordered new cables and will get them in a week, but in that discussion Bluefin (I think it was) suggested maybe the control box was the problem. Thinking about it that too would make sense if the mechanism was raising full travel to forward and but for some reason not dropping full travel to reverse. I think its worth checking out if its possible. This is my first boat, by the way, so this is all new to me. I had the control box open once to see if there was adjustment in it too for the cables. There did not seem to be any. Other than that, I don't know anything about it. Its 1975 Powerdrive single lever control. Is there any way to know whether or not the lever is giving full push to the cable to reverse? Or am I stuck just guessing that might be the problem if the new cable doesn't fix it?

If it is the problem is there any way to adjust or repair the mechanism inside? Or will it mean scrapping the whole box for a new control?

This is all dealing with a 1975 85 Evinrude, by the way.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Control box issue?

2 Questions.
This is a single lever control and not a 2 lever correct?
The idle speed warm up lever is it on the side of the box or the top of the box?

Let me know which one you have and I may be able to help. I have an OMC manual for the side lever box but own 2 top lever boxes.

 

[Besegen]

Re: Control box issue?

You are correct, this is a single lever. The idle speed warm up lever is on the side of the box.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Control box issue?

OK, That is the one in my manual. Goes through operation and set up but not much about trouble shooting. Wish I had a way to photocopy some clear pictures to you. Let me see what I can come up with.

 

[82rude]

Re: Control box issue?

make sure it is correctly installed at the motor ,it can cause isssues if backwards.ive never done it with a omc one but got caught that way with merc many years ago.if your not sure which is which its pretty simple.in nuteral put shifter in fwd or rev.first cable to move when you shift is the gear change one other is throttle.

 

[Besegen]

Re: Control box issue?

Yeah its hooked up correctly, 82rude, but thanks. You never know. Thanks for looking bonz_d. I really think the problem is going to be the cable. The previous owner completely restored this boat but it looks like the cables are the one thing he didn't replace. They look like they survived a war, barely. The slide arms at the linkages were really, really sticky. I lubed them up real good and all the linkages at the motor and and box and got the whole system shifting real smooth, but I still fall just a little short of getting in reverse. The cable casing is split in one place and I can see in there it looks really dried out and crappy and even looks like it might be coming apart.

I just thought I'd check over the control box too while waiting for the cables to come in but I don't know what to look for.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Control box issue?

Yeah see what happens with the new cables and let me know, I can maybe copy you the setup procedure.

 

[Besegen]

Re: Control box issue?

Well, I got the new cables and I guess I completely underestimated how much of the ends were actually part of the cable. They are 2' short. (learning curve). But I had already disassembled the control box while waiting for them to arrive today and neither of the cables in the box were crimped the least bit. The shift cable was sticking out the end of the casing at least 3/8" or better. I need to go back and reread but I'm pretty sure the manual said it was suppose to be flush or 1/32" at the most. I'm willing to bet that has been the problem. Done for tonight, but I guess I'll know tomorrow when I get it all back together. Thanks again for the advice guys.

 

[Besegen]

Re: Control box issue?

Can anyone tell me is something like a cigarette lighter hot enough to burn the temper off the cable end or do I need to be more aggressive and get out the torch and just not trigger the gas? And if it has already been burned off would it hurt to heat it up again just to be sure? I don't know if the previous installer didn't get the crimp because he didn't burn the temper off or if he was just too nervous to give it that one solid full turn. It "looks" like it might be burned off already cause the last 1 1/4" of the ends looks silvery while the rest of the wire is more brass colored but I want to be sure I get that crimp in there when I put it back on. Don't want to screw it up either though.

 

[Besegen]

Re: Control box issue?

Got it whipped short of hitting the water and fine tuning.