What does this throttle button do?

[sidechoke67]

First year boater here...

I have a throttle like the one pictured, and am wondering what the button highlighted in the red circle should do. As far as I can tell, it doesn't do anything...

I have a Volvo Penta 3.0L, and a Volvo throttle, if that matters.

Thanks for any info!

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

Don't you have to depress that to get it into gear?

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

No, the throttle has a button that I push in to put it in neutral. Then it pops into gear when I put the throttle upright.

That said, my throttle seems a little flakey. The neutral detent button doesn't always pop out when it should, and I sometimes have trouble getting the boat in gear after starting it.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

You push it in when you want to give it gas without putting it in gear? For example, when starting?

 

[triumphrick]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

That should be a neutral button to allow revving the motor without putting it in gear. Press the button, advance the throttle to reach max rpm's.
However, if that is a hard plstic button, check to see if it isn't the engine kill switch with the circlip left in place instead of on a lanyard. Only two things I can think of it may be.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

It isn't a hard button - it is something I can squeeze. The kill switch is someplace else.

So, do I have two neutral buttons? I have been pushing the button circled in dark red to start it - that puts it in neutral. Should I be able to squeeze the button circled in light red to put it in neutral as well?

Thanks a lot for the info!

 

[QC]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

OK, hold on . . . The one on the top under the handle is the safety neutral button. Basically it should prevent the control from going into gear (reverse or forward) unless it is pressed (pulled up). This is so when somebody falls on it your boat doesn't drive away . . .

The other button is to allow throttle travel without going into gear.

If the top one is not preventing you from shifting into gear then you MUST get it fixed or replaced. The other one you could live without, especially with an EFI engine. You should not need it to start, maybe to speed up warm up, but not for much else.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

If the top one is not preventing you from shifting into gear then you MUST get it fixed or replaced.

Gotcha thanks. It must be broken then; I've been using my boat all summer, and haven't squeezed that button once.

It is a carborated engine. I need the other button too.

 

[QC]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

Yeah realised you have a 3.0 after I posted . . . both buttons are a good thing . . . Try pushing that upper button in and out and see if it plops into where it belongs in neutral. Very simple mechanism, maybe the button is just stuck . . .

 

[Adrift]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

QC is correct.
I have a carburated 4.3 Volvo with the same control.
The manual says to push both buttons in (disengages the outdrive gear) and move the throttle all the way forward and then back ( we leave it a little past idle) to prime the motor before cold starting. Once it starts and runs for about 30 seconds we move the throttle back to straight up (neutral). Then we have to push the button under the throttle handle in order to engage the gear.
Warm starts we usually just leave it neutral.

 

[mthieme]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

Looks exactly like my OMC throttle.
I have to push this button in to get out of neutral.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

Took my throttle handle apart, and confirmed what you guys all told me.

There is a plastic piece that is broken - that should stop the handle from going forward unless that button is squeezed. Looks like the replacement piece should be inexpensive - if I can find it, that is...

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

OK -- stop already and clear your memory of everything you thought you knew about this control. Forget the button in the center of the control for now. Boats have three gears. 1) forward, 2) Reverse, and 3) neutral. All three are controlled with the lever. With the lever straight up, the drive is in neutral. Unless your control is broken, to move the lever into forward or reverse, you MUST squeeze the red button then move the lever. This is an interlock to prevent you from bumping the lever causing the boat to lurch and probably dumping someone over board. When you move the lever forward, the first thing that happens is the drive goes into forward gear and the boat begins to move. Continuing to move the lever forward increases the speed. The same happens in reverse. You put the lever straight up when you stop and the lever again locks in neutral. Now then -- about that button in the center of the lever that you call a neutral button. Boat engines sometimes need to be idled a little faster than normal during warm up. They also need to have the lever pumped a couple times to prime the carb. You do this by pushing in the center button, stroking the lever a couple times and leaving the lever in a slightly forward position. The drive IS NOT in gear at this time so you can start the engine and have it fast-idle. When you are ready to go, simply pull the lever back to neutral (straight up), then squeeze the red button and go forward or reverse. I think you really need someone to actually show you how this works as you are not operating things properly and because of that have damaged the interlock system.

 

[mthieme]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

That's pretty longed winded way to say you gotta press the button to put her in one gear or another. Everyone seems to know what the button is for and the man found his problem.
Time to close this puppy.

On this particular shifter the handle pulls out so you can engage the throttle and not the shifter...similar to many other controls which have some feature that allows only the throttle cable to work.
... as opposed to pushing the button and pumping the lever pumped a couple times to prime the carb. This will needlessly work the shifter cable.

 

[QC]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

That's pretty longed winded way to say you gotta press the button to put her in one gear or another. Everyone seems to know what the button is for and the man found his problem.
Time to close this puppy.

LOL Bingo . . .

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Silvertip, I knew all of that already - except what my broken squeeze button was supposed to do. I did say I was a first year boater, and really appreciate you explaining everything from the beginning. Thanks!

Good news - I found the replacement part on the volvo penta on-line store for $5.95. They must be partnered with iBoats - my shipping confirmation actually came from iBoats.

The piece that was broken is part #8 from the link below - in case any future reader has the same problem and wants to know what to order. The plastic piece at the bottom of this part - that is supposed to engage a spring - was broken. Volvo part number 3856846 ordered (indirectly) through iBoats.

http://www.volvopentastore.com/Control_for_Side_Installation/dm/view_id.324679

 

[oops!]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

i saw this one yesterday....it kinda bothered me a little......so i just want too add.....

kevin and silvertip......

its posts like both of yours that take the time to explain step by step that make this forum what it is.....a fantastic one for experianced and nubes alike....

both your guys help is totally invaluable to all

cheers guys
oops

 

[Azura C/C]

Re: What does this throttle button do?

You push the button to disengage the linkage so that you can rev. the motor using the binnical without putting it in gear.