merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

[monk-monk]

I want to get to the bottom of this: I just read the thread from Harold about no forward thrust and he inquired about the throttle and idle cable adjustment. I want the bottom line on this too. If you disconnect the throttle cable at the motor and hand move the linkage on the motor that the throttle cable was attatched to, the only thing that happens is the movement of the gear selector...forward or reverse...there is no movement what-so-ever of the idle lever!! The idle lever on the other hand will retard or advance the distributor, even if you unhook the idle lever cable and move the engine linkage by hand it still moves the distributor...the only way the carb. plates will move is by the movement or rotation of the distributor because the throttle pick-ups are attatched to the distributor...advance the distributor and the carb plates open...moving the throttle linkage at the engine will NOT advance the dist. to allow it to throttle-up, it will only put it in gear!! There has to be a syncronization of these two cables inside the controller. I'm buying an old merController off ebay...just to disassemble it to find out whats inside and how it works! One thing I'm sure of: If you disconnect both cables at the motor they become independent of each other and the corralation between the two is lost.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

The Idle lever is for cold starting only in neutral. The Gear shift/throttle lever works like this. There are cams in the control box. When you start to move the lever into gear, the first thing that happens is the gear shift cable moves to engage forward or reverse. As you keep moving the lever the cams start to move the throttle cable.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Doesn't it seem strange that moving the throttle cable causes the gear shift to change? And doesn't it seem strange that there is no forward thrust? Could it be that the gear shift cable is attached to the throttle linkage? And since the shift cable moves first when the throttle lever on the box is moved, and also considering it has only a detent movement, that this short throw would advance the throttle just a little, hence no full throttle? In other words, the two cables have been reversed. And there is no idle cable!

 

[monk-monk]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

It's so simple to determine if your cables are attatched correctly: move the idle lever from the "neutral" position through the 11:00 o'clock position on thru until you reach 9:00 oclock or maybe 8: if the distributor rotates the cables are hooked-up correctly, and Rick , thanks! but i have one more question... the manual says my 1150 should top-out at about 4800 RPM...i was running @ 4000 RPM and when i pushed the throttle to see if i could get the other 800 RPM, it automatically raised the idle lever WHICH retarded the distributor and stalled the engine!! how do i remedy this syncronization problem

 

[ricksrster]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Check your Private Messages under your log in name in the upper right hand corner.

 

[diaric]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

i had just this problem last week, cams were binding inside when the mounting screws to the boat were in tight. i loosened them up a tad and it was fine after that. could open up throttle without warm up lever moving

 

[ALTO]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

The Idle lever is for cold starting only in neutral. The Gear shift/throttle lever works like this. There are cams in the control box. When you start to move the lever into gear, the first thing that happens is the gear shift cable moves to engage forward or reverse. As you keep moving the lever the cams start to move the throttle cable.

 

[ALTO]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

I have just bought a boat fitted with a Mercury 6cyl 150 mid 70's vintage and have found that I have to push the lever from nuetral to about 10 oclock before the engine throttles up.I've checked the distributer and it moves after getting into gear. When should I expect the throttle cable to start to move from the nuetral position thru gear engagement. At full throttle the engine is only pulling 3800 RPM. Also what RPM should you be able to run the engine up to in nuetral using the Idle Lever.Appreciate any help on this.

 

[monk-monk]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

You lost me there Rick. What'am I looking for in my private message area?

 

[monk-monk]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Yeah Alto I feel like i have too much Throttle lever movement...from 12:00 to 10:00 before it engages into gear, I'm new to outboard motors and their characteristics but, I know something is just not jiving right in my controller....It's not "bad" but, I think it could be a lot better

 

[ALTO]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Yeah Alto I feel like i have too much Throttle lever movement...from 12:00 to 10:00 before it engages into gear, I'm new to outboard motors and their characteristics but, I know something is just not jiving right in my controller....It's not "bad" but, I think it could be a lot better

 

[ALTO]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Yeah Alto I feel like i have too much Throttle lever movement...from 12:00 to 10:00 before it engages into gear, I'm new to outboard motors and their characteristics but, I know something is just not jiving right in my controller....It's not "bad" but, I think it could be a lot better

 

[ALTO]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Thanks monk-monk seems we have a similar situation.The distributor appears to be nearly fully advanced when the throttles open can't be good for performance.Have ordered manual so hopefully it will give me some idea as to what the controller cam settings should be like.

 

[diaric]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

I had this problem with my controller. I had to move the lever quite a way before it would throttle up, but throttling down it would work smooth right down to neutral. Not sure what it was called, but got a new excentric cam plate for the throttle in the controller. The edges were wore a slight bit so it took a lot of movement to get the throttle operating.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Let's try again! The very first thing that happens when you move the lever on the control box (forward or backward from neutral) is that the engine should go into gear. If you watch the cables at the engine, only the gear shift cable should move. There should be no throttle linkage movement on the engine at this point. Just the gear change. After that happens - and only after that happens, the engine should begin to pick up rpm as the lever continues through its travel. At this point the throttle cable should be moving. Depending on age and wear, it may take some travel before picking up speed. If the engine begins to rev BEFORE the gear shift occurs, you have the cables reversed. That would also restrict the amount of throttle the engine receives. Think about it -- you don't press the gas half way down on your car before selecting Drive do you?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

[whisper uid=84608]

Let me try this again. If this doesn't work send me your email address at richard.palmer2@earthlink.net and I will forard the documents.

[/whisper]

 

[monk-monk]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Hey Diaric, or anyone else! Where would i get replacement parts for my controller, it's a '72 MerControl

 

[diaric]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

some else might be able to give you a suggestion. I lucked out when i walked into repair shop and quizzed him about how my controller was working as he had just ordered one in. Should be able to get from a merc dealer as it was quicksilver part I got from him. I looked around on sites but didn't find the internal parts listed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Try Twin City Outboards. They have a mountain of older outboards and parts.

 

[ALTO]

Re: merControl throttle and idle lever CABLE Adjustment

Let's try again! The very first thing that happens when you move the lever on the control box (forward or backward from neutral) is that the engine should go into gear. If you watch the cables at the engine, only the gear shift cable should move. There should be no throttle linkage movement on the engine at this point. Just the gear change. After that happens - and only after that happens, the engine should begin to pick up rpm as the lever continues through its travel. At this point the throttle cable should be moving. Depending on age and wear, it may take some travel before picking up speed. If the engine begins to rev BEFORE the gear shift occurs, you have the cables reversed. That would also restrict the amount of throttle the engine receives. Think about it -- you don't press the gas half way down on your car before selecting Drive do you?