Have throttle but no gear

[jamesd2021]

Hi all

Have a merc optimax 135 and when I push the button in on the throttle box I can move the throttle forward and backward in neutral and rev away.
When I left the button out the throttle won't move forwards or backwards.
Boat was only serviced a month ago.
Anyone any ideas?
Thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jamesd2021

Hi all



Have a merc optimax 135 and when I push the button in on the throttle box I can move the throttle forward and backward in neutral and rev away.

When I left the button out the throttle won't move forwards or backwards.

Boat was only serviced a month ago.

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

Without knowing which controls you have it’s just guessing. If it was only serviced a month ago, probably best asking the person who serviced it tbh.

[jamesd2021]

It just has mercury on it. After that no idea.trim buttons on top left

[jamesd2021]

Pic attached

[paulbrown22]

From what you describe presumably some part of the gear mechanism is stuck, if the lever will only move when the button is pushed in allowing you to rev it in neutral. So probably need to start disconnecting things one by one to see where that is, if it's the engine end, throttle/control box end, or the cable itself.

[Iron Dials]

Those throttles allow you to rev in neutral if you move it sideways away from the body so firstly make sure throttle lever is in “normal” position.

If that isn’t a solution then…. With the engine off.

Take the cover off the engine and see it the gearshift cable +gear linkage move when the throttle is moved.
It it does then the problem is most likely inside the engine.
If it doesn’t move disconnect gear cable at the engine and see if the cable moves. If it does then problem is most likely inside engine.

If it doesn’t move then either the mechanical connection at the throttle isn’t connected or the cable is seized/broken.

Just my flowchart, easier to take off engine cover than get at back of throttle for 5mins troubleshooting.

[jamesd2021]

Thanks all.got to the bottom of it tonight.the bushing connecting the shaft to engage the prop just under the engine cover had seized.lots of wd40 and hitting/wiggling the shaft frees it up eventually.