How Do You Know When To Change Your Throttle Cable?

[bttrahan]

The throttle cable on my 1978 Johnson 70hp is not responding with the movement of my control box lever. When going from forward to neutral, my idle remains too high and I have to manually adjust my spark advance lever to slow it. Is this a classic telltale that my throttle cable needs changing? Also, I have to push my control lever the entire length to get going. It seems as if my cable is stretched or something. I just need to know if these are signs that I need a new throttle cable. If not, then what are the signs? Please help, I plan to do this repair very soon.

 

[bttrahan]

Re: How Do You Know When To Change Your Throttle Cable?

Oh and I did a compression test and the readings were 120 121 121 respectively. The carbs were rebuilt about a month ago

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: How Do You Know When To Change Your Throttle Cable?

Those are some signs. They will stretch and stick over time and do just as yours is doing. Replace the throttle and shift cable together. Compression looks good....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How Do You Know When To Change Your Throttle Cable?

replace both at the same time, that way you only have to go into the controller once.. pay attention when you open it. careful not damage wiring insulation, as it is old and may be brittle.