25 HP Merc - Recoil starter latch

[mcdgary]

There is a spring loaded latch toward the RHS rear of this recoil starter. When latched to the pull cord round apparatus teeth underneath the recoil cover, cranking prohibited. For example, fast idle lever up for start it latches and can't pull the cord. Fast idle/throttle linkage moves forward and latch swings into the teeth (latched.) Since my old recoil broke and I have replaced it have I missed some connection to the latch?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 25 HP Merc - Recoil starter latch

The other end should be attached to a cam on the shift linkage. It's to prevent you from starting the motor in gear and tossing somebody standing-up off the boat with a sudden lurch.

 

[mcdgary]

Re: 25 HP Merc - Recoil starter latch

The other end should be attached to a cam on the shift linkage. It's to prevent you from starting the motor in gear and tossing somebody standing-up off the boat with a sudden lurch.

Thanks, apparently the previous owner had cut this part to make it ineffective. Since I broke the sheave underneath and found a used complete recoil assembly I was confused about how the latch (lower lock lever) connected.