Throttle cable adjustment

[82Johnson]

I am seeing a problem with my throttle cable/ shift cable. Not sure on the proper term. When I pull back from WOT or anything other than idle I get to neutral and the motor is still engaged in gear. I actually have to go slightly into reverse to get the motor to go into neutral. It does the same going from reverse to nuetral. Rarely it will go into neutral by itself. But more times than not I have to compensate for it. Can this be adjusted or do I need new cables? It is on a 1982 Johnson 140 with OMC handle that I believe to be original.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

You can have more that one problem here! The cable's are out of adjustment, The pivot points', or bearings in the control box are worn, the cable is stretched, or the anchor screws' at the control box are loose. Go one, by one.

 

[82Johnson]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

I have never adjusted cables on a boat before. Do I adjust at the motor or at the control box? I would assume if it is not better with adjustment I move onto the next item you listed.

 

[Basscat 1]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

You need to replace item 2 on this web page. web page <br />As this part wears, you will have shift problems as you described. Cables dont get out of adjustment by themselves unless something came loose.

 

[82Johnson]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

Basscat 1,<br />Were would the wearpoints be on this item. Would I be able to see them if it is worn? If that is worn could that explain why the previous owner has the idle screw adjusted all the way in?

 

[buddyholly]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

on my '75 115 the shoulder bolt on the motor where the shift linkage conncts to the lower unit shift rod was worn. i machined a new one and it took care of my problem. the way i found it was to disconnect the shift cable on the motor then noticed how much slop there was in the linkage and pinpointed it at the bolt. just trying to offer some help for all it will do.

 

[82Johnson]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

I actually found my cable was way out of adjustmet. I did not have any tension on it. I snugged this up and my problems went away. It shifts very smoothly and after adjusting the idle RPM it actually has more power in WOT. The previous owner had some work done on it shortly before I bought it. I don't think they new what they were doing since the idle screw was adjusted all the way in and the cable was loose.

 

[Basscat 1]

Re: Throttle cable adjustment

Good deal, and it didnt cost you nothing but time.<br />The shift lever will wear in the gear teeth area, but it may not be visible to the eye. The reason it wears is because of lack of grease and the throttle cable is to tight, puting it in a bind evertime the boat is shifted.