How do I know if my control cables are shot?

[BigJ08]

Any obvious signs that the throttle/shift cables for my outboard need replacement? Right now they're real sticky and I really have to push the lever hard to get it to WOT. I have a hard time fine tuning the throttle. It's a real pain when trying to pull someone on a tube, kneeboard, etc. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[109jb]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

Sticky throttle/shift cables can be from several things. When I bought my Sea Ray the throttle was hard to move like you describe, but the cables were fine. What caused it was the installation of the non-original throttle control. The way it was installed, the cables made 2 bends at a pretty tight radius right after coming out of the throttle control. Took the bends out and it operates really smooth. As far as checking the cables themselves, I like to disconnect them from both ends and slide the cable by hand. If they operate smooth like this then the problem is somewhere else. The next thing I'm going to say is not meant to be an insult, because some people just don't know but most throttle controls have a friction adjustment and if adjusted too tight will result in a stiff throttle. On my surface mount Johnson controls the adjustment was a wing nut type deal at the bottom rear of the control. Hope something in this helps you out.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

Sticky throttle/shift cables can be from several things. When I bought my Sea Ray the throttle was hard to move like you describe, but the cables were fine. What caused it was the installation of the non-original throttle control. The way it was installed, the cables made 2 bends at a pretty tight radius right after coming out of the throttle control. Took the bends out and it operates really smooth. As far as checking the cables themselves, I like to disconnect them from both ends and slide the cable by hand. If they operate smooth like this then the problem is somewhere else. The next thing I'm going to say is not meant to be an insult, because some people just don't know but most throttle controls have a friction adjustment and if adjusted too tight will result in a stiff throttle. On my surface mount Johnson controls the adjustment was a wing nut type deal at the bottom rear of the control. Hope something in this helps you out.

Are these bends too tight?

It was installed this way when I bought it so I never thought anything of it. I also know that my contol box is not the right/original one, but it works, just not well in my opinion. Mine looks like this:

And the original one should look like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/john...2957888QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[109jb]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

The bends by the engine look fine. The bends by the controls look to tight and could very well be the reason for your stiffness.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

i assume this is a center console, i would reverse the handle and kill switch, mount of other side of console, that will take 2 bends out of the system,

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

you can see here with the cable on the other side, and a hole thru the side of the console, it is just a very slight bend to get the cable into the run to the motor.

 

[Solittle]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

Way to tight a bend. I'll bet if you bought new cables and installed them exactly as the ones you have now that you would have the same problem.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

i assume this is a center console, i would reverse the handle and kill switch, mount of other side of console, that will take 2 bends out of the system,

Never thought about reversing the handle! Is it hard?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

In your case, i agree it's the bends at the console. From your description I suspected a kink, b/c of what happened to me once, and I tell you this so it won't happen to you. May cables at the engine are exposed like yours--no splashwell (carolina Skiff) and I raised the motor when there was a cooler in front of it, kinking the cables so I had to replace them. We could not figure out what happened, but could barely get in gear and had very little throttle. Of course we suspected something way more complicated than a kink. Slow trip back to the mainland!

 

[Zeeter]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

Never thought about reversing the handle! Is it hard?

Nope. Remove the box from the console. On the back side you will see an allen screw that goes through to the handle. Take the screw out and remove the handle. Swith it over to the other side and viola! You can also adjust the angle so its more comforatble to use standing up.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: How do I know if my control cables are shot?

UPDATE: I got the handle off and able to switch over to the other side, but I can't get the two mounting bolts out so I can reverse them. They're corroded in the holes! I'm beginning to think that a new original-style control box might be worth it. Anyone know of a supplier that might have one? I'm in Florida so I'm sure there are more than a few used boat parts places around .