1990 Merc 90 hp ignition switch question

[bigvinnie]

Need to replace the ignition switch and I'm not sure if I can use a universal switch or not... it's a panel mount (not on the control box), with push to choke. It appears to be the original switch, as the wires on the back are in an epoxy/resin material, and there are no splices that I can see...

My question concerns the fact that there are 4 pairs of wires (2 red, 2 pink, 2black and 2 blk/yellow) and also a single yellow/red and a single yellow/blk coming from the epoxy on the back of the switch, for a total of 10 wires.

My problem is that all the ignition switches that I've seen have just 6 terminals on them... my guess is that the pairs (the 2 red for example) should go together on the same terminal, which would mean that the 4 pairs and 2 singles that I mentioned above would work on a 6 terminal switch...

Would this be correct...??

Just a guess, but I'm hoping someone can confirm or correct my theory before I do something stupid here... my clymer shop manual is good, but it's not much help in this case.

Thanks very much for your assistance.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1990 Merc 90 hp ignition switch question

I did a little research on different merc switches and wiring harnesses, I don't think yours is OEM. Here is a BIA color code that most manufacturers use.

Here's a switch test that shows the wire colors for your engine and how the switch works as you can see it don't match your colors but does show the switch function and which wire it connects internally. Hope this helps, if there is something else that will help let us know.