Johnson 1970 throttle cable needle doesn't move enough for full throttle

[m1dn]

Hey folks,

Could someone help me with throttle cable sync/adjustment?
I've got a 1970 Johnson 40hp with electric shift, so a single throttle cable going directly to the remote control.
I've no idea what the proper length would be or if it's even possible to get one, but the cable has 1 loop i'd say closer to the engine due to being too long.
Been hitting my head against the wall for long enough now and i still don't think cable length should be a matter here, since someone was running the boat like that before.

The problem i'm having is no matter how i connect the cable ( while in idle or while in full throttle ), upon moving shifter, the needle doesn't move enough in/out to run in full throttle.

Adding diagram for the remote from: https://www.marineengine.com/parts/...n&section=Remote+Control+Group+Electric+Shift

I have Seloc manual as well, did not find any information on how to adjust/set it properly.

Does anyone know how to adjust/set it properly?

 

[m1dn]

Update: I'm looking through some older PDF manual and it mentions following "measure 36" from remote control and secure with a clamp to the boat"
Does that mean cable needs to be secure from remote control side somewhere to the boat to avoid cable moving forward/back at all? Aka something that will hold the cable tight on the boat/remote control side to avoid throttle lever moving the cable and only move the needle?

If that's the case, time to find the damn clamp and keep adding oil to the cable for easier movement

 

[F_R]

No, that means do NOT clamp it closer than 36" from the control. The cable must be able to move in order for the red warm-up lever to work.. A little problem with words here---what do you mean by "needle"?

 

[racerone]

For cold start the cable must move a bit so they say NOT to anchor it too close to the control box.----Instead of jumping up and down around your boat , why not explain what your motor is doing / not doing that leads you to believe there is a cable issue.----Or what trouble shooting have you done for the " lack of full throttle " issue.----Maybe your motor is running on one cylinder and not a cable issue at all.

 

[F_R]

It is not at all unusual to find the throttle linkage messed up on those motors. Adjustments must be made according to the book, and in the right order. The motor must be adjusted first, with the remote cable disconnected, THEN the cable is connected and the control adjusted to fit the motor. Never adjust the motor to fit the control.

 

[F_R]

Just guessing, I suspect the inner cable wire has broken in the past and somebody has reinstalled the guide tube on what's left of the wire. Used to see that all the time.

 

[m1dn]

The needle is long enough, i can move it by hand.
By needle i mean one inside the cover.

The problem is when i move cover by handle it doesn't move out enough, looks like cable indeed needs slack, but not too much, ill try clamping it tomorrow according to manual and see if that helps

 

[racerone]

??---Post a picture of this " needle " thing.

 

[m1dn]

??---Post a picture of this " needle " thing.

Sorry, to avoid confusion - it's the "inner cable wire" as someone else posted above

 

[racerone]

In the day when folks repaired stuff we had a roll of inner cable at the shop.----Today I might use a 15' cable to repair a 14' cable.-----Have not done that in a while now.-----New cable is cheaper than shop time to fix an old one.

 

[m1dn]

Basically the "moving sleeve" on the picture doesn't advance enough and leaves me in like 40% throttle.
Tried clamping cable like the manual says, but even that doesn't adjust the cable inside enough to move the sleeve from full idle to full throttle.

Any ideas?
anything to adjust in the remote control box? Didn't see anything obvious on the handle to control inner cable adjusting length

 

[racerone]

What trouble shooting have you done ??----As in are you sure this motor is not just running on just 1 cylinder ??

 

[F_R]

That moving sleeve is normally called a cable guide. Whatever you call it, if the picture shows it with the control in wide-open throttle position, the inner wire has been broken and the guide reattached as previously speculated. OR--possibly the guide inside the control is slipping on the wire.

It would help if you post a picture of the control split open with the cable in place. We know what it is supposed to look like, but don't know what might be goofed up in YOUR control without seeing it.

 

[m1dn]

That moving sleeve is normally called a cable guide. Whatever you call it, if the picture shows it with the control in wide-open throttle position, the inner wire has been broken and the guide reattached as previously speculated. OR--possibly the guide inside the control is slipping on the wire.

It would help if you post a picture of the control split open with the cable in place. We know what it is supposed to look like, but don't know what might be goofed up in YOUR control without seeing it.

Got it, thanks!
attaching pic

As i mentioned i can move it full in/out by hand, so don't think it was ever cut

I think it might be too stiff, it was rock solid when i got it, oiled as much as i could, it moves with a slight force.
By a bad luck i had a wrong cable from Amazon ready to be shipped back that i just checked, and it's as smooth as Michael Jackson compared to mine.

Would a slight stiff on it cause it to be too hard to move inside the remote?
I thought it works by pushing inner sleeve against the case, but i begin to think it needs to be moving smooth enough without being pushed against the wall.
Ordered another cable, testing tomorrow!

 

[m1dn]

What trouble shooting have you done ??----As in are you sure this motor is not just running on just 1 cylinder ??

Engine runs fine yeah, the throttle is not fully engaged, i can move it by hand, it's only about halfway in

 

[m1dn]

Update: Installed new cable, the issue is gone, smooth movement, throttle works flawlessly, greased internal remote elements too

 

[oldboat1]

Hang onto the old cable for back up. If you need to use it, consider attaching the cable at WOT (motor and cable box lever), then mounting the box a few inches toward the stern. Wouldn't that work, or is it past my bedtime?