Control lever removal?

[freerider8]

My boat is an 88 Beretta which isn't manufactured anymore and I am trying to find a way to remove the throttle control lever to check the neutral safety switch and try and lube the cables so it shifts easier. I attempted to remove it about a week ago and I could not get the thing to remove. I sprayed some white lithium grease for now into the area behind the side trim into the housing to try and lube it up some which did help but the neutral safety switch is very touchy so if it is not in the perfect spot the boat won't start and I don't want to be stuck on the water some time due to it not starting. Is it possible to replace this switch or does the whole shifter need to be replaced? Anyone have any knowledge in this area with this boat maker that can help? It has a Volvo Penta 4 cylinder engine in the boat if that is needed to know.

 

[Chris1956]

You might look for a manual for it, if you know the brand.

The ones I have had, either had to have the throttle-only button come off or had a set screw.

See if the throttle-only button will pop off. If so, there can be a fastener under it.

In the other control I had, the throttle handle had a set screw that was accessible when the throttle was about 3/4 of full throttle in reverse. That position uncovered a slot in the control panel on the bottom (say 7 o'clock), allowing access to a set screw.

 

[freerider8]

I have a repair manual for the boat it does not cover this repair from what I can find. Most of the information is engine work and such other topics to repair most of the mechanical components. It is for years 68-93 which covers a very broad spectrum of boats. I did take this plastic cover off the center of the shifter, and could see a nut in the center inside but did not want to take it out concerned that it would not just go back in. Going to keep looking

 

[PaulinSWFL]

My Chris Craft VP stern drive has a concealed side mount rigging and it needs to be in reverse as far as it will go (3 o'clock) to access the set screw that backs out a couple/three turns. Move the shift lever back to neutral before you pull it off. It will save you some headaches later. After you determine that you don't have a bad cable, assemble the shifter handle back while it's in nuetral and then move to the reverse 3 o'clock position to re-tighten the set set screw.
The switch is probably fine and you have a bad cable. Lot's of info out there for that. Look in the VP forum.

 

[82 baretta]

If you have a picture of the controller we might be able to help better I have a 1982 Baretta and just went through redoing the controller and the cables. For mine there was a set screw at the bottom of the handle that you had to access through the plastic bezel (one yours I imagine the trim/tilt control is in the handle, you need to disconnect the wiring first before removing the handle). Once the handle is off then you can take the square plastic piece behind the handle off to get at the screws. On mine 4 were just to hold the plastic piece to the panel and 4 were through to the controller. I also had to replace the neutral switch as the little tab broke off. so it was no longer switching. I replaced the switch with a 5 dollar microswitch that was the same rating as the original, no way I was paying 90 dollars for the original obsoleted part (super easy to swap the part). Take the time now while the controller is out of the boat to replace the cables and clean and lube the controller itself. This makes a world of difference!

 

[freerider8]

If you have a picture of the controller we might be able to help better I have a 1982 Baretta and just went through redoing the controller and the cables. For mine there was a set screw at the bottom of the handle that you had to access through the plastic bezel (one yours I imagine the trim/tilt control is in the handle, you need to disconnect the wiring first before removing the handle). Once the handle is off then you can take the square plastic piece behind the handle off to get at the screws. On mine 4 were just to hold the plastic piece to the panel and 4 were through to the controller. I also had to replace the neutral switch as the little tab broke off. so it was no longer switching. I replaced the switch with a 5 dollar microswitch that was the same rating as the original, no way I was paying 90 dollars for the original obsoleted part (super easy to swap the part). Take the time now while the controller is out of the boat to replace the cables and clean and lube the controller itself. This makes a world of difference!

Thank you for this response, this is very helpful. I will take a look and see if what you mentioned is indeed how it is set up and take some pics as well. The tilt control is in the handle as well like you mentioned. I never even noticed any kind of set screw on the bottom of the handle as you and others have mentioned. Would have never looked for that. I just gave up since the darn thing wouldn't cooperate. I let you know my findings. Thanks

 

[82 baretta]

yeah, that set screw is a royal pain. there were some changes to the handle over the years. My original the access was through the square trim piece, with the seat in the way this was terrible to see. I replaced the handle and they moved the set screw out a bit in the newer version and you don't have to go through the plastic square now If you find the neutral switch is missing the "nub" let me know and I'll send you a message with the link to what I bought.... it's basically a microwave door switch

 

[freerider8]

yeah, that set screw is a royal pain. there were some changes to the handle over the years. My original the access was through the square trim piece, with the seat in the way this was terrible to see. I replaced the handle and they moved the set screw out a bit in the newer version and you don't have to go through the plastic square now If you find the neutral switch is missing the "nub" let me know and I'll send you a message with the link to what I bought.... it's basically a microwave door switch

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[freerider8]

This is the shifter and the inside area that I have on my boat. I cannot find any kind of a set screw on the shifter anywhere. I don’t know if that screw inside there comes out and if I remove it will it cause trouble trying to put it back in. Also the holes on the cover area only has one screw inside on the left side. The others have no screws inside.

 

[Chris1956]

That does not look like a control from '88. Looks like one from '74 or earlier, and heavily used in salt water.

Put a hand impact driver on that screw in the center of the handle base and see if it will come off. You might price out a new control, just to be ready.

Obviously pick one for the engine type, not the boat type.

 

[82 baretta]

Definitely not what I was expecting either Quick question, as I don't know this type of controller at all... for throttle only does is there a center button that you removed before taking the pictures? or does the throttle handle tilt towards you to put it in neutral? If the handle tilts/pulls towards you then I would think there is still a set screw, but it will be on top, not on the bottom, where the controllers I was thinking of is located. It's possible the screw in the middle is what holds it on, but I'm not sure.

 

[Chris1956]

On some of those older controls, the handle pulled straight out, for throttle only. Is that what you meant?

 

[82 baretta]

yup, wondering if the set screw is on his is on top, when the handle is pushed in then it might be hidden. Based on the handle casting, it looks like if there is a screw it would come down from the top, but between the handle and the plastic cover.... No idea though, and just trying to help

 

[freerider8]

That does not look like a control from '88. Looks like one from '74 or earlier, and heavily used in salt water.

Put a hand impact driver on that screw in the center of the handle base and see if it will come off. You might price out a new control, just to be ready.

Obviously pick one for the engine type, not the boat type.

Well I know the boat is not that old since the title has the year on it. I do not think that the boat has ever been in salt water since the person that owned it prior to me had it for like 20 years and lives here and we aren't anywhere near salt water. It could have came off an older boat I suppose but I am just presuming that it is original. I will try and see if I can find a new handle set up on line, any suggestions on sites to look at. I don't want to go crazy with it but the trick is getting this one off if possible. The engine is a Volvo Penta 4 cylinder. I have the engine code in my manual.

 

[freerider8]

Definitely not what I was expecting either Quick question, as I don't know this type of controller at all... for throttle only does is there a center button that you removed before taking the pictures? or does the throttle handle tilt towards you to put it in neutral? If the handle tilts/pulls towards you then I would think there is still a set screw, but it will be on top, not on the bottom, where the controllers I was thinking of is located. It's possible the screw in the middle is what holds it on, but I'm not sure.
View attachment 365003

I could not see if there is any kind of set screw behind that flat area. When you pull the handle button up to engine the forward or reverse lever it goes up but cannot see anything behind it. If you want to just control the throttle for starting the whole handle base at the round section pulls towards you and basically throttles the boat while in Neutral. To engage the drive you put back to center and pull button on top of handle and go forward to move. I am sure most of you know this but I don't know how different all the controls are on other boats. The hole in this picture just has a plastic cap on it that covers it.