mercury controls

[laganiere]

I have a mercury 1150 4859218 78 i believe, the back plate on the control box is broken and I was wondering about using a different control box. the question I have is which ones would work? I really don't care for the one thats on there, quicksilver I think, I hate the way the key points out towards the seat, instead of in the back. is there suppuse to be a plug on the wiring harness that runs into the control box from the motor or just wires? What is the white/purple wire for that comes out of the plug in front with the other 3 wires, it is not connested to anything and is capped off on the control box plug? the I was thinking if possible I would like to put slimmer controls in this box is just too wide, i would like to put bigger seats in but I can't with this lunker.I could do any rewireing needed.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mercury controls

There are plenty of controls that will fit that motor. The issue is that you will need to graft the wiring from the control to the motor.

Alternatively, if your current control has a standard Merc ign switch and neutral safety switch, you may be able to easily move the electrical guts of your controller to a MerControl of about the same vintage. MerControls did not change much during the 70s, BTW. Those have the key in the rear, the choke button and cold start lever in the rear, and the tach connection in the front.

 

[laganiere]

Re: mercury controls

thanks for the reply the ignition switch is a replacment one thats rigged in. I am not worried about having to rewire, just need to find one that will work with my cables. would new after market ones work? or could you tell me what year of controllers i could use? i dont want to spend 200 on a conroller that wont work.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mercury controls

Most any for Mercury will work. I am using a 1977 MerController on my '93 Merc. I grafter the electrical harnesses and away I went.

There are some changes in wiring colors. I recommend you get a wiring diaghram from the controller and your motor (Try Maxrules.com). In a nutshell, from youyr motor to the new control, White went to Purple, Grey went to yellow/black, brown went to grey, orange went to black/yellow, yellow went to yellow/red. Luckily red is still red, black is still black.

 

[laganiere]

Re: mercury controls

One more ? I have a white/purple wire that comes from the control box to under the console, inside the control box it is capped off. Is this most likely not the controls that came with it? Or did someone put a different harness in it? it's a 1978 ranger aztec the control box has 3 wires going into the plug but there is four comming out

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mercury controls

I am stumped on that one. Try the maxrules.com site engine wiring diaghrams. Maybe it is for a trim gauge or something.

 

[79Merc80]

Re: mercury controls

I believe that the 3 wires coming out of the front is for a tach.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mercury controls

The three wire plug at the front of the MerControl is for the Tach. That fourth wire is the mystery.