'04 Utopia, 240 Merc Throttle Cable Riddle

[boaters4ever]

My Utopia is testing me today. When i throttle, she goes.......When I throttle down, she keeps going. The gate stops her, but the rpm's stay. I pulled the control assembly. I marked the throttle cable with a marker when idling. I give it gas and brought it back to idle position. The cable is not returning to the original place, it stays throttled. ( this is in both reverse and forward ). I remove the cable and manually throttle up and down and its fine.

The place where the cable attached to the control box, it is fitted inside a slotted piece which makes sense. But does that wear out at times?

I have pics if this is as clear as mud.

I'm thinking my issue is right in front of me, but I'm just not seeing it.

 

[WAJetboating]

My Utopia is testing me today. When i throttle, she goes.......When I throttle down, she keeps going. The gate stops her, but the rpm's stay. I pulled the control assembly. I marked the throttle cable with a marker when idling. I give it gas and brought it back to idle position. The cable is not returning to the original place, it stays throttled. ( this is in both reverse and forward ). I remove the cable and manually throttle up and down and its fine.

Sounds like you've already diagnosed the problem. There's something wrong with the connection between the throttle cable (which you've proven is working properly) and the lever assembly. If you connect the cable to the lever assembly and work it without reinstalling the lever assembly in the boat, can you watch what happens to the cable? That might reveal more.