Throttle Controls

Zippy · 24 May 2010, 12:24

Afternoon.

not sure if this sits in engine and props of here but i am sure someone will move it if im wrong!

We have a slight issue with our Mercruiser throttle control and of course, it doesnt happen all the time!

Sometimes when we come to start the engine, there is nothing, click... initially from shear panic i waggled the throttle controls from netural to forward and reverse and back to the middle and it started. i would say it happens 5 times in 10 but it is frustrating and must be a sign of something not working right!

On the basis that my technical "waggling" solves the problem, i think it may be something to do with the netural proximity switch which stops the engine starting in gear....

i am inclined to replace the unit rather than just the switch and thinking about going down the Livorsi route http://www.livorsi.com/catalog/controls_arched.htm

i know they are popular with race boats but has anyone any experience of them?? im guessing they are not waterproof but as the boat is covered when not in use, dont suppose that would be a massive problem afterall, race boats are often open boats?

ideally i would like something same sort of style but with single lever rather than gear and throttle lever but cant find anything yet!

Cookee · 24 May 2010, 12:41

Those style of controls tend to be dual lever only - Rex Marine also do nice controls, also Hardin Marine and CP Performance, most offer the ingear start option and trim switches, so you don't need to lose functionality.

Dirk Diggler · 24 May 2010, 12:43

Livorsi's excellent, used them loads of times, downside is you'll have to buy them through International Boating & Sports, who are terrible to deal with!

YOr you could try someone like Rex Marine, they were an agent a while ago, and are far easier to buy from!

Zippy · 24 May 2010, 13:09

thanks Cookee / Dirk

i like the idea of the dual controls but not sure Mrs Zippy (who isnt all that confident with boats) would get on too well with them??

i guess its a question of getting used to it tho?

boristhebold · 24 May 2010, 15:28

Seems like I have a similar problem, sometimes my engine wont start at all no turning over just nothing and I wiggle the ignition switch and kill cord and throttle and try again and it works. sounds like wiggling something is a catch all fix. ha ha

Zippy · 24 May 2010, 15:38

well i dumped the boat over at Cougar last week and they took it out today and it did exactly as i had said (at least i now im not going mad) and they managed to replicate another issue we had as well!

Steyr are on the case i hope to get is sorted......

anyone here know what a fuel / throttle potentiometer does???

9D280 · 24 May 2010, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

anyone here know what a fuel / throttle potentiometer does???

BAsivcally tells your engine management what angle your throttle is at & form there it can work out how much fel to throw in and / or how far to advance the spark, amongst other things.

Zippy · 24 May 2010, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

BAsivcally tells your engine management what angle your throttle is at & form there it can work out how much fel to throw in and / or how far to advance the spark, amongst other things.

Thanks. that would make sense!

Erin · 24 May 2010, 20:07

When you push the loud pedal, instead of the throttle cable opening a valve or flap on the engine to increase the revs, instead it operates the equivalent of a volume knob (potentiometer) whose electrical resistance changes and tells the ECU to allow more fuel in. Very common on modern diesels esp the likes of a Steyr. It's also teh basis of drive by wire controls.

Zippy · 24 May 2010, 20:16

great info for a simpleton like me!!

have had a problem where by when the engine is warm, it runs perfectly, turn it off and no problem, restart it and it restarts reving at 1800 rpm which clearly isnt right.

usually switch off and on and it sorts itself.

it only seems to happen when the outside temprature is high than usual ( like today)!

hopefully they can sort it out now they have seen what it does!

Zippy · 02 June 2010, 19:18

problem solved hopefully.

Steyr were back down again today and found a fault with engine speed sensor which was damaged. replaced it so fingers crossed its solved that little problem!

still looking at the controls but will change over the winter i think when we relay the console

thanks for your comments and help!