Drive not engaging until about 80% throttle

[hkyplyr31]

This is on a 99 sport nautique with the GT40 and the pp says “cruse control by perfect pass” (I think it is RMP based, no paddle wheel).

I took the boat out to the lake last weekend and everything was fine for about 4 hours. Then I noticed that there seemed to be more play in the throttle, like the neutral area was growing. I didn’t think much of it at first, but it was getting worse. A few min later the boat would not go into drive until almost full throttle. The same thing happens in neutral, idle until about 80% power than the motor will rev. max rpm is about 2k in drive or neutral.

At fist I was thinking it was a throttle cable, but when the motor does rev it is smooth, not what would think of a sticking cable. This boat is new to me, and I think it is a problem with perfect pass. The light was flashing, but I could not get the system to disengage (I tried holding both buttons for different amounts of time up to about 30 sec).

When I opened the motor cover there was slack in the pp actuator and the knob was moving back and fourth about 15 degrees. At this point I am thinking it is either an adjustment or a problem with pp. if anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated.

[eseybold]

at least for starters have you turned the PP clockwise to take all the slack out of the line?
The other option is to have PP on while the boat is running then while underway turn off the PP. It should then ask you the question " in Neutral?". Press the "No" response and then the PP should wind in and tighten up the throttle automatically. You can hear it . If that does not happen, then it is a bad PP.

[hkyplyr31]

Winding the PP did help, so now all I need to do is figure out what is wrong with it. When the boat is on the light will blink quickly 4 or 5 times, pause and then repeat. I am assuming it is some sort of trouble code… like I said before the knob also rotates back and fourth by about 15 degrees when it is running. Also, there is a small brass bar on the side of the pp unit that is really hot, is that normal? The pp unit is a smaller control with no display, so it cant ask if I am in neutral.

[Quinner]

Had that cruise on a 99' we used to own. The slack at the actuator was a somewhat common issue we had from brand new, turning boat off/on would sometimes solve, other wise with ignition off tighten slack as described above.
Trying to remember the operation, I want to say the light would blink when on but not locked into set speed/rpm, once you hit your speed the light would glow solid, no light when system off. Try turning PP off, right button single click. Always avoid turning PP on or off while underway, you can do it but it does not react well to that.
If you do not have a manual on it's operation, Check the Perfect Pass website, should be available there.