1965 Mercontrol Switch

[64booth]

I purchased a 1965 Booth that has a 1965 Mercury 65 HP Outboard. Started the motor yesterday for the first time - (likely the first time it has run in 30 years) - and it fired right up with no issues at all.

When it came time to turn off the motor - I turned the key to the off position - and the thing kept running - there was no way to shut down the motor - until I decided to remove fuel hose.

The key switch in the Mercontrol is sticky to begin with - but its all original.

Does anyone out there know where I can pick up a new ignition switch that will fit inside this old Mercontrol housing?

Thanks a million for your reply!

 

[turtles11756]

Re: 1965 Mercontrol Switch

pull the choke knob and it will shut down. the ignition switch should be easy to get . get the part # of switch if you can. make sure the motor is pumping water to cool it when running it and if you haven't already change the impeller. for merc parts eastcoastmarine.com or oldmercs.com

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1965 Mercontrol Switch

This switch should fit, there's also a number of other switches at the iboats store that you could look at.

http://www.iboats.com/Mallory-Switc...1905712--**********.968234542--view_id.365854

This has the 'upgraded' push-key-to-choke feature, you could bypass the choke button at the top of your control box and wire the choke lead off the switch directly to your choke wire, the push-to-choke is a heck of a lot more convenient than having to use your other hand to push the button on top.

I also saw a similar switch that has wires instead of terminals coming out. Either could be made to work, as the original installation had soldered connections and you'll have to adapt either way. Whichever you consider easier to do.

http://www.iboats.com/3-Position-Pu...31905712--**********.968234542--view_id.39663

Note that any switch you buy needs to have the 'mag kill' feature which shorts the 'mag' terminal of the switch to ground, to kill the ign. All Merc boxes with the 'standard' external harness plug incorporate this 'mag kill' feature regardless of whether the particular motor the harness is being used with has that style ign. You'll also find a powered ign lead which wouldn't be used on your motor, but is used on CDI-type distributor-fired ign's typical of late-60's to mid-70's motors.

Here's a wiring diagram in case you have any questions about what's in that control box:

http://www.maxrules.com/oldmercs/Wiring/0_1965a/4.pdf

Just a thought about your problem, you might also check to make sure the kill wire is properly connected to the side of the magneto. If the kill wire isn't connected or broken, the motor will continue to run and the 'mag kill' feature of the ign switch isn't gonna help. It does sound like your switch has seen better days, but you should be aware that other issues could cause your problem

You might want to wire-check both external and internal harnesses to make sure you don't have a bad connection or broken wire in there. The wiring diagram lists colors so that should help. A meter or test lite will pick up a bad wire right handily.

BTW iboats sells the impeller or full water pump kit and other service parts for your motor. Other good resources for parts are www.boatfix.com www.crowleymarine.com and www.boats.net

Boats.net has pretty good parts diagrams which should help. Check out www.mercruiserparts.com as well for their parts diagrams.

HTH & Have Fun..................ed