Re: 1991 evinrude 48 special
There may be a short of sorts within the ignition switch. To check out that possibility, do the following.
Disconnect the Black/Yellow wire from the powerpack. Attach a volt meter between the engine wiring harness side of that Black/Yellow wire and a powerhead ground (anyplace). Have the meter set so that it will register the slightest bit of voltage. Now, turn the ignition key to the RUN position (engine NOT running).
If the meter registers even a microvolt when you turn that key to the RUN position, the ignition switch is shorted and requires replacing.
Another posibility.... It's possible that the short exists within the wiring harness rather than the switch. To double check the ignition switch.... re-connect the Black/yellow wire to the powerpack, then disconnect the same wire from the ignition switch and check for a short directly between the related "M" terminal and ground when the key is in the RUN position (engine not running).
Any voltage applied to that Black/Yellow wire will destroy the powerpack within a short time.
Another note to keep in mind.... DO NOT EVER connect a ground lead from any other component to the "M" terminals of the ignition switch. Voltage flows thru those components and out thru their normally black ground wire. If any of those wires are connected to the "M" terminals, that voltage will surely find its way to the powerpack.
