1990 70HP Evinrude throttle control

[kevyrev]

I have a 1986 bass tracker tournament V-17 I just purchased a few weeks ago. The seller told me that the throttle control wasn't the original and it works but has some issues. When trying to find neutral I'm just moving stick to the point I can freely spin my prop. Seems as if you bump the controller either slightly too far forward or backwards while still in neutral it won't start. Is this common and also is there something I can check maybe even tighten or adjust the throttle stick. I'm currently waiting on registration and just in the driveway using flush muffs.....