hotwire mercontrol

R

rlattea21

Recruit
Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Messages
3
I just got a 1975 runabout with a mercury 850. the ignition switch is bad. Is it possible to hotwire the ignition so I can make sure the motor is good before putting any money into it?
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,022
Re: hotwire mercontrol

Why not just get a cheap switch for a riding mower and use that for the test. It would be worth the investment as insurance. If you hotwire it wrong you may burn something up and it may not work or do damage.

Welcome to iboats.
 
C

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,158
Re: hotwire mercontrol

rlatta, If that motor has a distributor, run a jumper wire from the red wire on the switch box to the white wire on the switchbox (adjacent terminal, starboard side of motor). If it is distributorless, I do not know off hand how to hot wire. Likely you will need to disconnect the wire that grounds the ignition.
 
R

rlattea21

Recruit
Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Messages
3
Re: hotwire mercontrol

Bob_VT said:
Why not just get a cheap switch for a riding mower and use that for the test. It would be worth the investment as insurance. If you hotwire it wrong you may burn something up and it may not work or do damage.

Welcome to iboats.
Click to expand...

you wouldn't happen to have the wiring schematic for the switch would you?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top