What does this button do?

[80skeys]

I recently acquired a boat with a 1976 Merc 900 (tower of power.) The control box consists of a single lever and three buttons. The button on the left is for trimming. (there's also two small buttons on the lever handle for trimming).

The button on the right is the choke.

The button in the middle is located where the lever pivots on the control box. What is this one for? I can't figure out its purpose.

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: What does this button do?

Maybe that's the switch that takes it out of gear, my control box has one like that.

 

[80skeys]

Re: What does this button do?

Maybe that's the switch that takes it out of gear, my control box has one like that.

I called the local marine shop this morning and they said it was a button that would disengage the gear from the throttle. It lets you rev up the motor without putting it in gear.

Is this safe to press while it's in forward gear. Or is it something you would only press when it's in neutral?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What does this button do?

It is for cold starts. Push the button in while in neutral and then move the lever forward. It provides fast idle for warm up. Why would you want to do that with the engine in gear??

 

[80skeys]

Re: What does this button do?

It is for cold starts. Push the button in while in neutral and then move the lever forward. It provides fast idle for warm up. Why would you want to do that with the engine in gear??

I didn't think you would, I just wanted to know the scope of it. Do you need to keep the button pushed in as long as the lever is forward, or is it something you can release once you've moved the lever?

 

[Fisherball]

Re: What does this button do?

I thought that was the self-destruct button!!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: What does this button do?

It's the EJECT button. Don't press....aw heck...too late now.