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1990 Evinrude 88 SPL idling high after a run on the lake. It seems to do this only after running and warming up, when I start in the morning she runs fine, around 800-900 RPM. I know that is high, but not a major issue to me right now. Once I go for a run, when I idle down, if I go to neutral she runs about 1100-1400 rpm. I wondering if there is an issue with the cables sticking or not allowing the throttle arm to come back to the idle position. With the cover off, I can push the arm against the idle screw and she will idle down, but as soon as I let go the arm runs right back to the high position.
Can someone give me the procedure for setting the idle, and second can I pull the control cables off to check the motor idle safely? I don't want to hurt anything, including me.
I have the same motor and it idles high as well. I just deal with it since I don't have a tach any more...doesn't bother me as much now that I can't see it =). Just happy an almost 20yr old outboard is running strong and don't want to mess with it.
go to iboats.com, they have a johnson forum and can cure just about anything.
Turns out the trunchion (sp?) plate that hold the cables in place had a bolt missing. Looks like the throttle cable walked itself into a highg idel position. I got a new bolt, reset everything, and will see where it goes from here.
