Mercury 150 just completely died! Help!

[imported_fish_on]

I have a 1977 Mercury 150 Black Max serial number 4967664 on a 1977 18’ Skeeter. After a good days fishing, I docked the boat and ran up to get my trailer. Went back to the boat to start it up, turned the key, and nothing happened. Usually this happens when I am not in neutral, so I checked my throttle and still nothing. I mean completely dead. Not even a "tick" when I try to start the thing! So far I have checked the battery for charge, taken apart the throttle, the shift lever, the ignition to check for any loose wires in the throttle lever box, and have re-checked the battery for charge. The trim up and down works, (the trim is on the throttle lever, so I think I have power to the box) Can someone help me figure this one out? Thanks! Oh yeah, I was thinking, is there a way to bypass the ignition system and maybe give power to the starter directly, and trace my way back? Just wondering… Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[JB]

Re: Mercury 150 just completely died! Help!

Howdy, Fish-on.<br /><br />Sounds like you are not getting power to your starter solenoid, or the solenoid has failed.<br /><br />On the solenoid you have two heavy cables to carry starter current and a small wire to activate the solenoid. Jump the heavy wire from the battery to the small terminal. If you get a click and the starter tries to start, your solenoid is okay and the trouble is in getting power to it.<br /><br />You have eliminated two prime suspects in checking out the neutral and ignition switches. The next suspect would be your "dead man" kill switch.. .the one you connect you safety lanyard to (not many actually use it). If you are like most boaters, you just put the clip in to hold it out and forget it. You might have knocked the clip out.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[imported_fish_on]

Re: Mercury 150 just completely died! Help!

Hey there Red sky!<br /><br />Thanks for the info. I did what you said, and jumped the heavy wire from the battery to the small terminal and she turned over! Thanks for getting me this far. So now what? I checked the dead man switch, and it is completely bi-passed, (was never even hooked up when the boat was running great). I have a complete wiring diagram, see attachment,

but I am not sure I know how to read it. I also have a test light. Is this a start? I am thinking about just replacing the ignition switch and throttle. Any help would be appreciated.<br />Thanks!