Mercontrol warm-up lever problem

[Beavo]

Hi Everyone,

I need help. I have a 7.5hp Mercury outboard (early 70s) with a mercontrol side mount control box (I assume from a similar age to the outboard).

The problem is that the warm up lever at the back of the unit seems to have a mind of it's own. When I put the throttle into full power (forward) the warm up lever pops up to about the twelve o'clock position. This obviously causes the engine to rev highly, and eventually cut out.
Also when i go from full reverse to neutral the warm up lever springs up, once more causing the engine to rev highly and then cut out.

I have taken the control box apart and cleaned and re-greased it, cannot see anything catching. I put it back together not connected to the cables and the warm up handle never moved, unless I moved it. As soon as I re-installed it today on the boat connecting the cables the warm up lever continued to move as it did before with a mind of it's own.

Is this control box beyond repair ?

Can I disconnect the warm up cable and still use the outboard and the remote with just the throttle ?

Failing anything else, what other controls can I use instead of the mercontrol with my mercury outboard ?

PLEASE HELP ME

 

[monk-monk]

Re: Mercontrol warm-up lever problem

Beavo...if you look on the inside of and near the top of that lever, you will see an indentation...on the back of the controller body, in the same location as on the lever, you will see a small "boss"...there used to be a "ball like" tip in that boss, it has worn off over time...it keeps the warm up lever from rising up...i fixed mine by putting a little tiny round head screw in that boss...

 

[79Merc80]

Re: Mercontrol warm-up lever problem

Our old boat's controls did the same thing. I worked around it with a piece of nylon string. I tied it long enough to be able to put it around the key switch and to slip over the warm up lever. Work great and the nylon string lasted for years.

Craig

 

[Beavo]

Re: Mercontrol warm-up lever problem

They both sound like good solutions. I'll try the string for a quick fix tomorrow when i take it out. Thanks very much for your help.