Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

[RedRaiderSkiCat]

I have an '87 VIP with a 4cyl I/O OMC. My throttle is extremely difficult going from forward to neutral. It will get stuck in reverse, then when I jam it forward, it skips neutral. I really have to play with it to get it in neutral.

When the engine is off, it shifts fine.

What to do?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

Have a read through this link, you could have a bad or sticky lower shift cable or a malfunctioning ESA (electronic shift assist), switches, etc.

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[wire2]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

I think your idle is too high. What's the rpm?
Does the ESA make it slow when you try to shift?

 

[RedRaiderSkiCat]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

I haven't paid attention to idle rpms, but it does seem to idle too fast. That hopefully, would be an easy fix. (I guess). Should I try that before looking at my throttle shifter?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

That sounds just like the scenerio just before my lower shift cable failed completely and left me stuck in gear out on the water.
1990 Cobra drive
5.8 4bbl.

 

[RedRaiderSkiCat]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

I tested the Interrupter switch, appears to be bad. Ordered new one. If that doesn't fix it, I'll try the Electronic Switch Assist, if that doesn't fix it, lower shift cable? Does that sound like the necessary steps on a 20 year old boat. It does have the Red Cable that was replaced under warranty.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

How and where did you test the interrupt switch? There is also another switch in the circuit called the overstroke which can cause it not to work, the 2 switches work together and one is normally open and the other is normally closed, made a quick diagram of how they are wired below.

 

[RedRaiderSkiCat]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

I followed the manual on testing the interrupter, using an Ohms meter. The overstroke switch appeared to be working. When I called the parts house, they told me that they have replaced a lot of interrupters. Hopefully that will do the trick.

How hard is it to replace the lower shifter cable? If that becomes necessary.

Bob, Great diagram. That is how I tested the switch.

 

[RedRaiderSkiCat]

Re: Help!!! OMC Throttle Sticking

Put the new Interrupter switch on. The other appeared to be broken. Boat runs like a champ!