Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Dante04SRT · Sep 11, 2008

I opened the cover on the 'new' boat and noticed two wires that weren't connected. Any ideas?

One is gray and the other is brown...

Uraijit · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Is your trim sensor working (brown)? How about your shift interrupter?

achris · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

They look like ground wires to me... Spares in the harness... Just throw some insulting tape around them and tuck them away neatly...

Chris......

Dante04SRT · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Uraijit said:
Is your trim sensor working (brown)? How about your shift interrupter?

Tilt/Trim gauge is iffy.... haven't noticed it really working because my tilt/trim control has somewhat confused me... [see other post]

Uraijit · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Dante04SRT said:
Tilt/Trim gauge is iffy.... haven't noticed it really working because my tilt/trim control has somewhat confused me... [see other post]

By "iffy" you mean it works intermitently, or do you mean that you don't know?

If the gauge is working at all, then that's not what the brown wire's for.

Dante04SRT · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Uraijit said:
By "iffy" you mean it works intermitently, or do you mean that you don't know?

If the gauge is working at all, then that's not what the brown wire's for.

I mean I've seen the gauge move but I can't say its accurate. It doesn't seem to move quickly in relation to the drive. When the drive is all the way up or down is when I notice it - I've never seen it work in between.

achris · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Uraijit said:
By "iffy" you mean it works intermitently, or do you mean that you don't know?

If the gauge is working at all, then that's not what the brown wire's for.

Trim gauge and interrupter wires have insulated bullet connectors, not ring connectors... They are unused grounds...

Chris..........

Uraijit · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Grounds in multiple colors? Doubt it.

And that's a pretty broad sweeping statement that they're always bullet connectors.

Plenty of boats have trim gauges and shift interrupters that use screw connectors with termination blocks.

Dante04SRT · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this motor? I'm curious if this has anything to do with the tilt/trim problem in my other post.

achris · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Uraijit said:
Grounds in multiple colors? Doubt it.

And that's a pretty broad sweeping statement that they're always bullet connectors.

Plenty of boats have trim gauges and shift interrupters that use screw connectors with termination blocks.

Both leads are black... trick of the light makes it look lighter...

For an engine of that era... all non ground connectors are insulated or plug-ins... ONLY grounds are uninsulated rings....

Chris.........

Uraijit · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Dante04SRT said:
Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this motor? I'm curious if this has anything to do with the tilt/trim problem in my other post.

I don't have a diagram for your engine, but this should help.

Uraijit · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

achris said:
Both leads are black... trick of the light makes it look lighter...

For an engine of that era... all non ground connectors are insulated or plug-ins... ONLY grounds are uninsulated rings....

Chris.........

Trick of light eh? If you say so...

Funny that they appear as exactly the same colors in both pics, and the OP hasn't mentioned (despite mine and his specification of colors) that they're anything but brown and gray.

achris · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Post your engines serial number or year and I'll post a wiring diagram........

Chris........

Dante04SRT · Sep 11, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

achris said:
Post your engines serial number or year and I'll post a wiring diagram........

Chris........

I'll have to get it tomorrow - Its dark and the boat's under the cover for the night.

Thanks!

As for the colors, they are definitely gray and brown.

Dante04SRT · Sep 12, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

I did notice tonight there were two wires with the covered connectors on them, that weren't connected to anything else. They were under the dash area. I'll have to take a pic. If the tilt was wired with the trim (bypassed) would the trim up button still work?

achris · Sep 12, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Dante04SRT said:
.... If the tilt was wired with the trim (bypassed) would the trim up button still work?

Yes.... As long as there is a jumper link (wire) in the place of the limit switch...

Chris......

Ed R · Sep 12, 2008

Re: Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

Wow! you guys are good, in that year the 4.3 was offered with EFI, etc. Mercury used same basic engine harness on the early models. nothing to be worried about !

Where do these wires go? (4.3 merc)

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