Key switch side wiring question (outboard key ignition for i/o engine...

[full_boat_redo]

I have a 1980 Lakes craft with a 1409 3.0 OMC I/O stern drive. The problem is I have a BRP/OMC control box (5006186) just added on it and went to connect the wiring (no issues with shift and throttle cables) knowing I would have to make a custom plug given the age. Issue is that there are 6 wires on new mount as it appears that the ignition is for an outboard and I had 3 on the original on my stern drive. The old key ignition unit had a red (battery) purple (ignition) orange (accessory) and a black one in the middle top that went to the throttle then connected to a yellow/red back to engine. New wiring has a Purple, Red, Purple/white, Black/yellow, Yellow/Red, and Black/white. Can I still use the outboard key start and just not connect the extra wires (so just use the red, purple, yellow/red and connect the B/W to a ground or maybe both black white and black yellow?)?

 

[Silvertip]

The electrical system for your I/O power plant is what's called "battery ignition" whereas the electrical system for an outboard is called "magneto ignition". With that in mind, you cannot use a magneto ignition switch in a battery ignition system. In the battery ignition system two contacts inside the ignition switch feed +12 volts to the ignition system so those contacts are "closed" with the key in the RUN position, and "open" to kill the engine when the switch is in the OFF position. Magneto ignition switches work just the opposite. To RUN the engine, the ignition contacts (two "M" terminal typically) are OPEN. Those two terminals are closed to short the ignition system to ground to kill the engine. You therefore need to replace the ignition switch with on for a "battery ignition".

 

[Expidia]

Silvertip . . . nice to see you back! Hope that chart thing worked out to your satisfaction. I was going to start a petition to bring you back. This site really needs posters of your experience helping others out. It was very sad to see your posts stop early this year this was a big loss to all of us in my opinion.
Paul