1989 35hp mercury mystery purple wire

[thesaskwatch]

May be the dumbest question in the history of these forums.... I know that the purple on this monster is the ignition wire when hooking it up to the switch.
I just don't know where in the heck to hook it up on the motor side... The motor started and ran fine for the six+ months that I've had it. Then one day it just
started clicking when turning the key. I bought a new solenoid and installed it, still clicks... I bought a new switch and installed it, still clicks. Tested the starter by bypassing the solenoid and touching a hot wire to it, it spun the motor over just fine... Then I found this wire, I'm sure it's the cause of my problems if I could just figure out where it goes on the motor side. Any help would be greatly appreciated... thanks, BK.

 

[turtles11756]

service manuals for your engine model will show all wireing

 

[Chinewalker]

No Title

It would appear you have some non-stock wiring going on, as I see a white wire on the solenoid that isn't original. With that in mind, who knows what the purple wire is for. Where does the other end go? It was clearly connected to something else at some point - are there any other wires missing an end? There are no solid purple or white wires in the diagram, so it's likely going to be a crapshoot for you to figure out what's what.

 

[Texasmark]

In later models and I don't know when it started, purple, or red with a purple stripe was switched 12v power from the ignition switch if in the ON position as compared to raw 12v which was always on and always red.

 

[CharlieB]

A test light or volt meter could tell you if the wire is energized with the ignition switch or if it grounds something.

Where is this wire end located? on the engine, at the control? Where does it come from, the main wire bundle on the motor? Or does it come out of the boat side wire harness?

All clues may be very helpful.

 

[thesaskwatch]

FIGURED IT OUT!!!!
Trial and error led me to find out that the dad-gum purple wire doesn't do anything, manual said it was the ignition wire. However, the PEACH colored wire is the ignition wire.
I now have all wires accounted for, and I have fire when I turn the switch. I will not have a chance to pull it out of the shed and hang it on the little boat and hook fuel and other accoutrements up until this weekend, but WE HAVE FIRE!!!!

 

[thesaskwatch]

Update guys. Got it all sorted out this weekend. Motor is running strong now. Thanks, bk