Help With Mercontrol!!!!!!!!!

[jhester]

Hello everyone, I am new here although I have been reading a lot of different post to tr and find some answers to my questions. I just purchased a 1977 Arrow Glass Tarpon with a 1978 Merc. 700 and trailer, ($250 total). The boat is in great shape and the motor did run when the seller last used it about 8 months ago. This is my first boat and I am not very schooled in the boating world but I am trying to learn from friends and the internet. I am pretty mechanicaly inclined so that part is not an issue but my biggest question for now is what is going on with the mercontrol box. I can't seem to shift the lever out of reverse and when I take it apart and move the cam over to neutral it will shift into forward then reverse but will never come out of reverse unless I open the case again. If anyone has any idea about how to fix this please let me know, I have already found the answer to the key switch problem that I know I am going to replace so for now this is my only question for now but i'm sure there will be more to come.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help With Mercontrol!!!!!!!!!

OK, Lets make sure you have the correct cables on the throttle and shifter. Remove the wrap cowling. Observe the cables on the port side of the motor, while someone moves the MerControl throttle lever. the first cable to move should be the shift cable. When the shift cable has moved 3-4 inches, the throttle cable will start to move.

The throttle cable is the upper one on the motor. Make sure they are correct.

 

[jhester]

Re: Help With Mercontrol!!!!!!!!!

The cables move fine it is the cam i'm guessing that is getting stuck, the lever physicaly won't move out of reverse. I also know I need to grease the entire box but it doesn't feel like this is a grease problem but maybe i'm wrong.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help With Mercontrol!!!!!!!!!

Those controls are pretty robust. I am still using the one from my '77 inline on my '93 V6. That is why i was hoping you had the cables installed incorrectly. That is an easy fix.


Is it possible you do not have the two halves of the MerControl lined up properly? It is a bit tricky to get the cam followers in the correct position to close up the control.

 

[jhester]

Re: Help With Mercontrol!!!!!!!!!

Ok, got it fixed tonight. Turns out the shifter cable was way out of adjustment so that is good news though the cam is a little worn on the forward side but it will work for now. The next thing is going to be a starter solinoid which literaly broke apart in my hands. I did decide to move the key to the console since I used an aftermarket switch but it all worked out for the best since now I can use the hole in the control box to mount a toggle switch for the lights. Thanks for everyones help i'm sure I will need it again soon.