Merc 50 blue stripe starting issue

[malby]

Hi there all,

I have a 1980 Quinny Fishabout with a 50 Merc Blue Stripe and forward controls. Been going great for years but the last few outings I have had problems with starting the boat on ocassion. I tried all sorts of things as the tilt motor worked fine and finally fiddled with the 'forward/reverse' controller. Moved it back and forth and into Neutral again and Bingo! It worked again. This has unfortunately happened again a few times and is really annoying/dangerous as I go outside at times. I have unscrewed the controller and have it split open trying to see what can be done. Can't tell much from looking. Grease looks old as do the wires but has anyone had this problem and if so how did you fix it??

Thanks, Mal

[finga]

Is that the square boxy controller with the tilt switch up the top of the handle and the button you have to press to be able to use the fast idle feature??

[Roughasguts]

De-Grease the controler find the neutral switch! clean it up and clean the contacts with solvent or a light rub with wet and dry. Try strating several times before re asembling.

Cheers.

[malby]

Is that the square boxy controller with the tilt switch up the top of the handle and the button you have to press to be able to use the fast idle feature??

It's a rectangular box and the rest is as you have described.

[malby]

De-Grease the controler find the neutral switch! clean it up and clean the contacts with solvent or a light rub with wet and dry. Try strating several times before re asembling.

Cheers.

Thanks for that. What does the neutral switch look like?

I can take a photo of the inside of the controller now I have disassembled it if that would help?

Also, after degreasing it should I regrease it?

And what sort of solvent can you use to clean electrical contacts without affecting the plastic coating on the wires? Getting to the contacts may be difficult as you will see if I can get a good enough photo.

[Jarrah Jack]

Is that the square boxy controller with the tilt switch up the top of the handle and the button you have to press to be able to use the fast idle feature??

I think he wants to know about his boat Finga not your manly control mechanism.


BTW A good boat those quinney"s I've go a 79 version which would make yours the younger brother Malby. Still going strong.

[finga]

Matey...I have one of those control boxes in the shed believe it or not.
I'll pull it apart tomorrow to see what switch it is.
Does it look something like this?? If so then a new switch will need to be shoved in but they are common as seagulls at a picnic.

As for greasing her up again then just use a marine grease like what you use in the steering or wheel bearings.
They gum up after awhile and it's normal they get all stiff.

PS: Terry....I worry about you sometimes

[Roughasguts]

I like the export degreaser from suoer cheap but even once off and I mean once!! is WD 40 cause in time that will rot plastic.

Cheers.

[finga]

Another thing to consider is the kill switch.
Has your controller got a toggle switch towards the rear of the controller on the lower front face that has like a shroud around both sides and across the top??

[malby]

I have photo's ready to go in the appropriate size but can't seem to upload the as it asks me where the url is? What the? I have uploaded photo's before selling fishing gear and it was totally different. What do I do?

[malby]

Another thing to consider is the kill switch.
Has your controller got a toggle switch towards the rear of the controller on the lower front face that has like a shroud around both sides and across the top??

Yes it does and I have only just noticed it as I took the photo's.

[malby]

Hope that this works. Helps having a son who is a computer geek.

[malby]

She is actually a 1979 boat with a 1980 engine and is a very rare 16 foot model with wide coamings. Been an awesome boat that has given many great hours of fishing. My plan is to fix her up and sell her soonish if you know anyone interested.

[finga]

Dad has the 13' model with original Evinrude and trailor. All 1970 models.

The reverse switch is near the little spring towards the centre of the controller under some of the steel bits.
If I have a free moment tomorrow I'll pull mine apart and see exactly where it is and take a picture of it..

Now...when you say it did not start did it not wind over at all or did it wind over without firing?

[malby]

It did not wind over at all. Just went dead. It has done it now about 3 times. Had the young fella and his mate on board and was a tad distressing for them. Not great when you are trying to encourage their enjoyment of fishing and boating. Rest of the day it went fine. Strange but dangerous as next ti me I could be outside.