Outboard motors are controlled by levers on the tiller. The control levers on the engine pull or push the cables that carry the lever movement to the engine and gearbox. Cable adjustment is crucial for proper engine and gearbox control and response. Improperly adjusted cables can prevent the engine from developing full revolutions per minute and the gearbox from fully shifting or engaging. Partially compromised gearboxes can wear out quickly, requiring expensive gear replacement. Cables require periodic maintenance in the form of lubrication and replacement due to wear with heavy use.
Throttle Adjustment
Loosen the throttle cable adjuster jam nut with wrenches. Extend or retract the adjuster until the cable moves the throttle to the free position.
Push the control lever forward to the “Free Forward” position. Make sure the throttle position does not load the engine.
Pull the control lever back through neutral to the reverse free position. Make sure the throttle position does not load the engine.
Push the throttle to the “Full Forward” position. Make sure the throttle arm on the engine travels to the throttle stops. Move the cable to a lower hole in the control if the travel lever is not sufficient to reach full throttle. Adjust the jam nut on the throttle cable with wrenches.
Gearbox cable
Adjust the gearbox control cable. Put the control lever in the neutral position. Loosen the jam nut on the cable adjuster with wrenches. Extend or collapse the adjuster until the shift arm on the engine is in the neutral position.
Push the control to the “Free Forward” position. Make sure the gearbox solenoid moves all the way to the forward position.
Push the control into the “Reverse Free” position. Make sure the solenoid on the gearbox moves fully into the reverse position. Move the control cable to a lower hole if the lever range is too short to fully engage the gearbox. Tighten the cable adjuster jam nut with wrenches.