Finicky controllers

[sidechoke67]

Just curious how common it is to have a controller that is a bit "touchy" ?

I've settled into a nice relationship with mine...we understand each other. Most of the times it behaves - however, other times, it requires some jiggling to get it into and out of neutral...you have to have the handle in an exact spot, jiggle it just right and talk sweetly...

It isn't an issue for me at this point - mostly I jiggle it just right without thinking about it. However, if anyone else ever drives my boat (so I can take a turn tubing ), it can take them a minute to find the right spots...

I did take it apart and clean it, and put a little fresh grease on the gears...the spring looked good and seems to have plenty of tension...but it is still a little particular at times.

I have thought about replacing it - until I saw how much they cost.

Plus, I'm not sure that a new one would be any different....what are your thoughts? Do a lot of controllers have minor issues?

Mine is a 2001 Volvo side control w/ trim for a 3.0L Volvo.

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Finicky controllers

Are we really talking about "controllers" here or is it "admirals"?

Sorry, couldn't resist a poor attempt at some humor!

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Finicky controllers

I appreciate the humor!

Anyone else have a finicky throttle? I'm beginning to wonder if I just got a touchy one, and it is worth replacing?

 

[Deepblue22]

Re: Finicky controllers

I do. Interested to hear what you learn. Mine is a 2002 volvo 5.0Gxi with a side control. The lever goes into forward sometimes, sometimes not, sometimes it wont come out of forward into neutral. Sometimes when I shift into reverse it is actually in forward. Very dangerous at the dock. I took it in to the dealer, but they could find nothing wrong. I am thinking about replacing the cables, and possible the whole works because I cant afford to crash into the dock or into someone elses boat. I dont know enough about how it all works to be clear what to do.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Finicky controllers

Bump...still curious if I'm alone on this...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Finicky controllers

What brand are these controls?

Sounds dangerous to me.

Replace them.

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: Finicky controllers

My throttle has about 2 inches of slack in it. Makes it really hard to keep a steady speed below about 20 MPH. I have never seen a remedy for it, so I live with it.

It's not in the controller, and the cable is firmly connected to the carb linkage, so I don't know where the play comes from. It's an old boat though.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Finicky controllers

I have shift/throttle issues and have posted about them before. I have kiekhaeffer controls - like gaffrigs on a go fast. Separate throttle and shift. I took them apart, cleaned, greased, replaced missing ball detent balls and springs, and reassembled. Better but not perfect. I'm going to do new cables in the next couple weeks. They can be really hard to shift and occaisionally they don't seem to catch as quickly as I would like. It is also hard to "bump" them in and out of gear. My slip is pretty tight and I only have about 6" to spare on either side of my boat so docking is interesting at best...on a good day with no wind or current.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Finicky controllers

Maybe look at the cables.

My Mercontrol was hard as hell to engage, and I just kinda thought "well, it's old." While refurbing, I noticed a cable plastic sheath had cracked and the metal sheathing inside was rusting up. Got new cables, and now it's smooth as silk.

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Finicky controllers

I'm pretty sure my problem is the controller itself. Mine has a button you push in to get it in neutral (throttle, no shift). It usually goes into neutral fine, but when I put the controller back to 90 degrees, the button doesn't always pop back out to engage the shift cable. If I jiggle the handle enough, the button will eventually pop back out, and I can move forward....sometimes it takes a lot of jiggling and "encouraging" though.

I took the controller apart, and found a spring in the center that should pop that button back out. The spring looked good to me. It always behaves fine on muffs, and at the dock....seems to know the worst times to act up.

It is finally getting to be a big enough pain that i am considering replacing the controller...

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Finicky controllers

My controller is a Volvo Penta for a 2001 SX-M, by the way.