Quicksilver control unit problems??

[Waterbugs2006]

I have a 1990 Mercury outboard with quicksilver controls. I went to start the motor today and nothing....No power at the controls. The battery is fully charged and the cable connection are clean and tight. If I play with the controls by moving the cables and everything I will get power. Then no power again. I took apart the back cover to see if any of the wires were loose but they all seam tight. Any advise on how to find my problem??

 

[achris]

Re: Quicksilver control unit problems??

Do you have power at the instruments when you turn the key to ON? If so, then with the back of the controls off and with access to the back of the key switch check for voltage on the red wire at the key. With the key in the START position, check for power at the yellow/red switch. If you have voltage at both those points, still with the key in the START position, check either side of the neutral safety switch. If you have voltage on both sides then you have a broken wire in the harness between the control box and the engine..

Chris.............

 

[Waterbugs2006]

Re: Quicksilver control unit problems??

Thanks for the info Chris. I took apart the controls last night to make sure I did not have a loose wire and they are all tight. The only instrument I have is a tach and when the power is dead its dead for everything, including the tach, and power trim. If I play around with the controls the power then comes back. Very shortly. Is their something in the control box (a relay??) that would cause power to go off everything? If the neutral safety switch went bad wouldn't the power trim still work?

 

[achris]

Re: Quicksilver control unit problems??

... If the neutral safety switch went bad wouldn't the power trim still work?

Yes...

The fact that you lose all power makes it easy. You probably have a broken wire, in the lead that goes into the control box.... and it's the main power wire, the red one.

No relays in the control box, just the ignition key, neutral switch and safety switch....

Chris......

 

[Waterbugs2006]

Re: Quicksilver control unit problems??

I found the problem last night. It was the red wire under the engine cover with the fuse. I replaced the wire and fuse assembly and it works great now. Thanks for the help Chris!: