Help! No Key

[lifelover]

I was given a boat (Wife's uncle passed away) but they could not find the key. It has a 35 hp Mercury (1979? serial #A15435) with a quicksilver control pod. The ignition switch is a push to choke and appears to have 6 connection points with 9 wires solder on to them.<br /><br />What is the best way to resolve this issue. If I do not care if it has a key is they a way to bypass it.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />tight lines and fair winds

 

[lifelover]

Re: Help! No Key

Is this what I need?<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...switch&**********=136767547&*******=574530628

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Help! No Key

It probably has a mercury key.<br />Any good dealer will have a master set. they can figure out which key you need and get you going for a minimum of expense.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Help! No Key

there maybe (or have been) a small sticker on the switch,or loose in the control box.It has the key # on it.Bypassing to get on-off-and crank is difficult.Can you bring the boat to a dealer to have him try his keys?If the wiring is getting old,installing a new switch can become a real mess.<br /><br />DHP

 

[bh357]

Re: Help! No Key

Ditto what Rabidfish said. I took my ignition switch to a local Merc dealer, and they tried a number of different keys until one worked.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Help! No Key

I believe the only Push-to-Choke keys are the ones that are being used now. The A on your serial number indicates that it's much newer than a 1979, but there's a digit or two missing.<br /><br />There are 12 possibilities, 1A - 2F. The letter indicates the grooves on the keys and the number indicates the teeth. When trying keys, if a 1B fits in there but doesn't turn, then it'll be the 2B, etc.

 

[lifelover]

Re: Help! No Key

Thanks for the replies. I'll find a local dealer and go from there.

 

[tpwebb]

Re: Help! No Key

My push to choke switch fell to pieces and i have to replace it. What or where do I find a part number to get a replacement. I have a 1985 35hp merc. and the switch is mounted in the dash and not the control box. It has 6 copnnection and 8 or 9 wires. Please reply ASAP. Thanks Tim

 

[north40]

Re: Help! No Key

If you take the switch out (leave wires attached) to where you can look at it closely, there will be a number molded into the housing. It should be 1A-2F as WB said if it is fairly recent.

 

[north40]

Re: Help! No Key

If you take the switch out (leave wires attached) to where you can look at it closely, there will be a number molded into the housing. It should be 1A-2F as WB said if it is fairly recent.<br />p.s. My Merc dealer looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if he had a master set of keys.

 

[Rovernaut]

Re: Help! No Key

For what it's worth, Sierra make replacement Ignition switches for Mercs.<br /> You guys State Side can buy 'em for about $16.95 USD.<br />Hardly worth the aggravation at that price trying to hunt a key down.<br />If yours is an old switch than a little money will give you piece of mind that the barrel won't be too worn.