Mercury Classic 3000 Throttle problem - Won't go into Reverse or Forward

[Scottiemom]

Hi, First time posting here working on a 2000 Suntracker pontoon with a 50 hp 2001 Tracker Outboard. We are having a problem with the throttle/shifter. The shifter will move and go into forward and reverse but it is not moving the shift cable. Took the back off the shifter and the mechanism for the gas/throttle is moving and working but the mechanism working the shifter cable does not move at all. Is that normal? I wouldn't think so but obviously I am a novice. If it isn't normal any troubleshooting ideas on how to get it to move correctly? Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

Howdy
The 3000 has a button in the pivot area (item 8) which places the control into throttle only mode. In this mode it allows to the throttle to increase the rpm of the motor but does not allow it to shift into gear.

Is the button stuck or missing?

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/32079/8457/185

 

[Scottiemom]

Hi the red button on the top end of of the handle that you push in to go into forward or reverse? It is working (or at least pushing in and out) so is the black button in the middle. You have to press both of them for the handle to move up and down.

 

[alldodge]

The top is the neutral lock, the middle your be the trailer drive trim bottom

Click on the link in my post above and look for item 6

 

[Scottiemom]

I don't see any other type of button other than the neutral lock, the place for the trim and the middle button. I attached a few photos. Sorry for the darkness the boat is covered with a tarp. Let me know if you need another view.

 

[alldodge]

You said in the middle so I'm seeing the trailer button, which you don't have one

I said item 8 but should have said item 6, but my guess is you might have figured it out once looked at the link posted

Our orientation is the issue, but here is what I have been looking at, and we are in agreement the throttle only button is what I'm discussing. Same as the button on your pic labeled "throttle only advance"

Also appears you have a throttle lock. It is where your hand grabs

And NO you do not push the button to change FWD/REV, it is only pushed when wanting to give more throttle without going into gear

 

[Scottiemom]

Yes orientation is different but I see what you are saying. For the handle to move into forward or reverse you have to push the throttle lock on the handle and the throttle advance button at the same time on this one... Not sure if that's the way it supposed to be but that's that way it is ... When it goes into either forward or reverse the mechanism should be moving the shift cable isn't moving at all. Should it be? The throttle is but not the shifting one.

 

[alldodge]

and the throttle advance button at the same time on this one

:nono:

The advance button is "ONLY" pushed when your want to rev the motor higher and it NOT be in gear.

To go FWD or REV you only squeeze the unlock and then push the throttle FWD or REV to start the prop spinning.

 

[Scottiemom]

If you only press the unlock button it won't go into gear. You have to press both at the same time which is awkward but that's the only way the handle will go into forward or reverse. So there is definitely a problem there if it isn't supposed to work that way

 

[alldodge]

You have to press both at the same time which is awkward but that's the only way the handle will go into forward or reverse.

Then the problem is with the shift cable or throttle control, because that is not correct.
Disconnect the shaft cable from the motor and see if it cable moves. If it doesn't, then its in the shifter

 

[Scottiemom]

Ok thank for the help! We thought about disconnecting from the actual shifter and see if the shifter and mechanism moves without the cable on it to see if maybe the cable is seized. But will try it the way you suggested first. Easier to get to.

 

[Scottiemom]

Got the throttle working with just the unlock button. It is shifting gears so that's good. It is still very hard to shift mostly into reverse. We greased some and it's a little better so we are going to try to grease it a little more.

 

[alldodge]

Cool
Is the motor running? Shifts easier with it running

 

[Scottiemom]

Yes we tried it with the motor running (with muffs) and forward but the handle is pretty stiff especially in reverse.