1978 85hp MERC

[LEE MICHNAL]

Ignition switch for 1978 85hp merc

Hello, I really need some help please, I purchased an after market ignition switch for this motor and the wires are different than what comes from my
Motor , the switch has 2 black wires, 1 red wire, 1 purple wire, 1 yellow/orange. 1 yellow/black.
The harness from my motor has 1 beige color, 1 gray , 1 solid yellow, 1 black, 1 orange, 1 red, I can't figure out how to connect, I looked up wiring
Diagrams but there are so many, please help
Dave

 

[LEE MICHNAL]

I need help please, I just purchased a new after market ignition. Switch and the wires are colored different than what's in my harness.
On the ign switch I have one red. One purple. One yellow/red. One Yellow/black and two black.

In my harness from the motor I have one beige, one gray, one solid yellow, one black, one orange, one red.
Can anyone help me on how to connect these. Thanks

 

[jbcurt00]

I merged the 2 topics you started about this motor


Here in the Mercury forum is the right place for this, not the electrical forum.

Please dont start multiple topics in multiple forums about the same subject.

Thanks

Good luck w your project and welcome to iboats

 

[Faztbullet]

Switch----------------------------------------Harness
red............................................... .......red
yellow/blk..........................................grey
yellow/red.........................................yellow
black............................................. ...orange
black............................................. ...black
purple .............................................beige (actually white)

 

[jimmbo]

Just for your info, Mercury did not make an 85hp in 1978. They did make a 4 cylinder 85 1973 - 1977 inclusive

 

[Chris1956]

Does your motor have 4 coils or a single coil and a distributor? Four coils mean 1976-77. A distributor is 1973-75, (if I remember correctly).