Mercruiser 165 4cyl shift interrupter switch

[Kyoung4366]

Anyone know if this wire hanging off the shift interruptor switch will stop it from starting? I put a new starter and starter solenoid in it and now I'm not getting any spark and trying to run through what I've touched first before I dig deeper. I bought the boat not running due to starter.

 

[Scott Danforth]

did you service the points? if points sit for more than a few months, you need to file, re-gap and re-time

 

[Bt Doctur]

Did you remove that switch or the screws to where it is connected?

 

[kenny nunez]

The loose wire needs to be on the screw that mounts the terminal block to the plate. If there is a shift cable problem that is why the wire is disconnected.
do like S D said with the points. If they need replacing get them from NAPA or a marine dealer, not any big box auto stores junk.

 

[Kyoung4366]

Thanks y'all! I did gap the points since the previous owner put a new gap and points on but did not adjust them I'm very green to timing with a dizzy so haven't messed with it yet but I tested the coil and am getting no reading from the main post so I'm gonna replace the coil and go from there. As far as the wiring on the shift part I haven't messed with it but just wanted to make sure that I didn't pull something loose on accident replacing the starter and solenoid.

 

[Bt Doctur]

do you have the manual?

 

[Kyoung4366]

Thanks y'all! I did gap the points since the previous owner put a new gap and points on but did not adjust them I'm very green to timing with a dizzy so haven't messed with it yet but I tested the coil and am getting no reading from the main post so I'm gonna replace the coil and go from there. As far as the wiring on the shift part I haven't messed with it but just wanted to make sure that I didn't pull something loose on accident replacing the starter and solenoid.

 

[nola mike]

Thanks y'all! I did gap the points since the previous owner put a new gap and points on but did not adjust them I'm very green to timing with a dizzy so haven't messed with it yet but I tested the coil and am getting no reading from the main post so I'm gonna replace the coil and go from there. As far as the wiring on the shift part I haven't messed with it but just wanted to make sure that I didn't pull something loose on accident replacing the starter and solenoid.

Which is the main post? Probably worth actually troubleshooting the problem rather than replacing a good coil.