1988 SN2001 Throttle Cable Troubles

11 years with this boat now!  Just graduated my youngest teen from HS and had he and his buddies out to try some foiling when the throttle stopped working (last week).

Similar symptoms to this post:

I have a newer boat than this but same symptom as above thread -- goes in and out of gear no problem but throttle will not advance from idle.  

My diagnosis:

I can feel and see that the cable is solidly connected at the control and on top of the engine.  Image below (pic1) of the transmission and throttle cables connected behind driver control arm.  When I move the lever forward or back I can feel the cable move.  But no corresponding movement at the engine.  Solidly attached at both ends.  Diagnosis -- broken cable.  Puzzle is action was never rough/strained before failure.  Anything else to check before I replace?

Troubles:

I went to pull the control assembly so I could detach the cables and replace but encountered one very tight nylon nut so the screw is starting to strip (pic2).  And a second nut on the back side of the control mount that was installed poorly to one side in the metal bracket so there is no way to get a wrench on the nut (pic 3).  I'm thinking I'll have to drill out both screws from the driver side?  If anyone has any brighter ideas or similar experience please share before I tear up my nice control center.  Can I replace the cables without pulling the arm assembly?

I saw the recommendations to table new cables to old and pull thru and to replace both cables at the same time.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Pic1 -- good connections for both cables at control arm back side.

Pic2 -- Upper right -- nearly stripped screw from too-tight nylon lock nut.  Lower right -- successfully removed. 

Pic3 -- back side of left most screw in pic2 -- nut inside metal bracket but not centered so no way to get a wrench on it! 

Thanks Keno!  Great and helpful pictures.  I'm very glad I don't need to drill out the last two screws. 

I'll purchase two cables from NautiqueParts.  Do you know the length I need?  Apparently they come in a few different ones. 

Thanks again Keno. 

My transmission cable reads just like the picture above, 204 inches.  NautiqueParts says both throttle and transmission cables are the same length.  Cables are now black instead of red.  

Just to backup what TRB said, here's the first picture you posted in this thread.

It shows 2 short ones and they don't have much clearance as the levers move around when you're moving the shifter

So you need 2 short ones for the controller 

The transmission end can use either but the long one is easier to use on that end.

The short one can be real tight getting the cotter pin through on the transmission end

So.......you should spend the big bucks for 2  of the short ones   And then 1 long cheap one.

The ball and socket connector at the carburetor end most likely won't be worn.

Why the short ones cost so much more .................who knows?

Hello Keno and TRBenj,

Thanks for these additional insights.  I've been out of town / working like a dog since my last post but finally ready to order these cables and connectors so we can get back on the water before my last teen flies the coop!  

I'll let you know if I encounter any more problems.  But would advise anyone else trying this job against trying to remove the outside panel on the drive side of the gunnel.