Idle Problem with Evinrude 70HP

**tj309** · 03-15-2018, 09:09 PM

My 1996 70HP idles at 1700. I have taken the cover off and cannot make the throttle linkadge back off. I suspect a problem with the fast idle lever on the control box. It used to do fine until I engaged the lever. I am not well versed with OMC controls so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

**Motv18** · 03-16-2018, 12:35 AM

+1on ? Had a 1+1 do that. linkage was set to all on

**Merc 2.5** · 03-16-2018, 02:44 PM

Have u tried to pull the throttle arm back manually after using warm up lever? If it's as far back as it will go you may have a carb cracked on idle, has link and sync been done? Possibly stretched cable

**tj309** · 03-16-2018, 07:04 PM

I have - from inside the motor. I had all 3 carbs rebuilt by an Evinrude dealer so they are all synced up. When I got the motor back from the shop it ran fine. Next time I ran it I used the warm up lever. That is when it wouldn't return to a normal idle. The control box is old - I hope I don't have to replace it. Then again it is old to the point that the power trim switch is zip tied to the throttle shaft and not integrated. If I do have to update it how many pins should the connector have? I saw a lot of 10 pins on e-bay.

**Merc 2.5** · 03-17-2018, 01:00 PM

Unfortunately I can't answer that as I'm more of merc guru and not to familiar with smaller motors. We have sum jonnyrude gurus here that will prob chime in. In mean time I tear box apart. May be sumthing as simple as little cleaning and some good grease. I've brought sum old ones back to life like that. If ur turn it off and restart it with arm against the idle stop is it still reving high?

**flabum1017** · 03-17-2018, 04:29 PM

Can you go with a concealed mount control with the key on the dash? if so, I'd do away with the box...........

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**tj309** · 03-17-2018, 07:52 PM

I could but its set up with an outside unit right now. To answer Merclover's question once I raised the warm up lever it idled at 1700 no mater what.

**Merc 2.5** · 03-17-2018, 11:51 PM

When u raise warm up and push back down and turn off ,when u start back is it still at 1700 without warm-up raised?

**tj309** · 03-18-2018, 08:47 AM

Yes

**racervboat** · 03-18-2018, 12:26 PM

When you start to raise the lever up a little is there a lot of play up and down ?

**flabum1017** · 03-18-2018, 01:25 PM

Might be something as simple as a throttle cable adjustment. re-adjust the cable at the engine to where the throttle arm is back at idle against the stop.

**tj309** · 03-18-2018, 06:44 PM

The warm up lever is difficult to raise but easier to put down. I think the problem is inside the control box. The shop that rebuilt the carbs was in FL in the middle of the summer and probably didn't need to use the warm up lever so probably didn't check the function.

**flabum1017** · 03-18-2018, 07:08 PM

Cable adjustment can cause that though..... Simple enough to try. There is a roller in the control box that can break apart........ But I would try the adjustment first.

**Motv18** · 03-19-2018, 06:07 AM

The remote should be good if you can shift into forward and reverse.

Iirc the idle set screw is right on top should be visable. the top carbs lever should be touching it in neutral. If not the warm up lever is stuck

**flabum1017** · 03-19-2018, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by Motv18

The remote should be good if you can shift into forward and reverse.

Iirc the idle set screw is right on top should be visable. the top carbs lever should be touching it in neutral. If not the warm up lever is stuck

If the throttle cable is too slack, it will not go back to idle..... has nothing to do with shifting.