Date: 201902
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine Control
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Workload; Time Pressure; Human-Machine Interface; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: While completing the Before Takeoff Checklist; we noticed during Recall; ENG annunciation indicating EEC's were in ALTN mode. We pulled over to complete the QRH procedure. Captain spoke with Maintenance and was advised to taxi back to gate. Maintenance was called out to the aircraft and noticed an error during the BITE test and the EEC's switches were pushed out.Although schedule pressures were involved; my Captain and I used [risk management] to purposely take our time running checklists. During the Before Start/Originating Checklist; when I read the checklist item referring to EECs; I know I looked up at the EECs while Captain responded; and I thought I observed an ON indication. The plastic cover was scratched and hazy and I may have overlooked it. To prevent this in the future; I will take extra time and attention in ensuring switches are in the correct position before moving on to the next item.


Second narrative: After starting #2 engine; ENG alert displayed and we noted EECs in ALTN mode. Ran QRH and then called Maintenance and discussed deferral versus return to gate. During this discussion; we noted that EEC switches were pushed out (versus pushed in or ON). After discussing further with Maintenance; the decision was made to return to the gate. When Maintenance arrived; we agreed that the EEC switches may have been left in the ALT position and were in that position when the aircraft was towed to the gate (it had been remotely parked).Due to a late RSV (Reserve) callout (one hour prior to show) and very heavy traffic en route from home; I arrived to find the aircraft completely boarded and waiting for my arrival. FO (First Officer) had arrived prior to me and was helpful and professional and ready to go. We recognized the potential for time pressure to cause us to rush and even verbalized the need to be careful and methodical. However; in performing the Before Start Checklist; it is possible that we failed to notice that the EEC switches were not in the ON position; despite the fact that we both remember looking up at it when performing the checklist. This is due to the fact that the plastic covers were cloudy and scratched and the amber ALTN annunciation would not appear until after engine start. You must look closely to determine that the white ON circle appears in the switch. In the future; I plan to look VERY closely at this switch to avoid this issue again. However; I think there should be some type of review to determine how they were left there.


Synopsis: B737-700 flight crew reported returning to the gate because the EEC switches were in the alternate position.