78` merc 115,,wont turn over with the key

bossragz

Cadet
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
6
hi im new here , a guy from harrisburg PA,,told me you guys know alot about boats/engines and could answer many of my questions,,,,so lets begin with the big one , ,, my engine wont turn over with the key , my choke button(new intigrated within the key switch) when pushed ,,i dont hear the click..any hints ,,suggestions,,,please help , id love to take the wife and daughter out on the river for the 4th of july....its a 115 or (1150 on the shaft)

thanks

mark
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,109
Re: 78` merc 115,,wont turn over with the key

Mark, It will be difficult to diagnose your problem(s) from the info. The original MerControl that came with that motor has a push button for the choke. Since you have an aftermarket control, it would have needed to be wired correctly. Later controls have different wire colors. You really should create a cross connect wire diagram. You can create this from the original wiring diagram from the motor and the new wiring diagram from the control. For example, your brown rectifier wire should connect to the grey wire at the control. The motor's white wire should connect to the control's purple wire, for accessories +12V. The Orange wire at the motor (killer wire) should connect tot he control's black/yellow wire. Black connects to black.

BTW- These are presupposing that your control uses standard Merc wiring colors

+12VDC is necessary on the yellow wire at the starter solenoid to spin the starter. Since this is one of the few wire colors that did not change, hopefully they got it right. You should have a neutral lock out, so make sure the contol is in neutral. Your choke wire is grey, so check it for +12VDC when you push the key.
 

arjay2008

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2008
Messages
17
Re: 78` merc 115,,wont turn over with the key

I had the same problem, but it turned out to be that the wires had been corroded. I rewired it and it works fine now. If the choke works but the key doesn't do anything, try jiggling the throttle in neutral.
 

bossragz

Cadet
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
6
Re: 78` merc 115,,the saga continues

Re: 78` merc 115,,the saga continues

ok ,,thank you everyone ,,it cranked over (but didnt start)with the key (this is a major step forward),,but now the bad news ,, the wiring harness that plugs into the motor , one of the female connections is ripped out of the plug , i would like to know of a fix ,,or a place where i can buy a new plug AND socket,( as it needs to be replaced anyway) thanks in advance...


mark

choochoobg@aol.com

717-649-7661
 

bossragz

Cadet
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
6
Re: 78` merc 115,,wont turn over with the key

ok i went oast the marina the guy told me as long as i have power to the key ,,the broken wire wont matter,, so im going to run a wire from the battery to a 20 amp fuse then to the wire that is broken in the harness.. so it rained here today ,,,i doubt ill be out in the rain working on it , we did have high hope sof being on the river this evening for the fireworks display ,,,but i guess you cant rush things like this ,,, if anyone else has any ideas or suggestions ,,,please feel free to voice them,,,, oh yeah , this may sounbd stupid ,,,but is this 78` merc a 2 stroke or 4 stroke ,, if its 2 stroke ,,,what is the mixture ratio????? if or whern i get it started i dont want to burn it up on straight gas ,,know what i mean?


thanks again

mark
 

jimg984

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
403
Re: 78` merc 115,,wont turn over with the key

2 cycle 50-1 oil mixture.. you may need to get a friend to help you with this, and also you a need manuel.. sounds like if had gotten it running you wouldnt used and gas/oil mixture
 
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