1976 merc 1500 ignition problems

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spike6969

Cadet
Joined
Jun 27, 2009
Messages
25
Hello all, I have yet another question. This is an ingnition issue. The boat will start and run fine however, now when we hit the key to the off position, the motor does not shut off?? I dont know enough about a boat ingnition to tell on what should be hot or not when shutting the switch off. can anyone help?? im lost!!!
 
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Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,158
Re: 1976 merc 1500 ignition problems

That motor should have a distributor ignition. when the key is turned off, the white wire on the starbaord side of the switchbox should go from +12VDC to zero. The ignition key supplies +12V on that white wire when the key is in the run or start position.
 
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spike6969

Cadet
Joined
Jun 27, 2009
Messages
25
Re: 1976 merc 1500 ignition problems

Hey thanks man, you are correct!! the harness around the wires were dry rotted. after seperating the wires in the main harness and finding out that the white wire was always hot. Back in the motor case I got the wires loose from one another, and taping up bare wires the white wire lost power. the key is now killing the motor again, I'm not sure where I would be with out this site!! thanks again!!!
 
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