Mercury 850 rewire to hardwired

[TenE3072]

I have been having troubles with my wire connector plug at the motor. I am not in a position to buy a new harness. Can I hard wire the wires from the boat side harness? I was looking at the wiring diagram and noticed there is a "Tan" wire that goes to nothing on the motor side of the plug? Does this wire need to connect to anything?

 

[gm280]

:welcome: aboard TenE3072 to iboats...

According to the Mercury color chart for OB engines, a tan wire is for a temperature switch to warning horn and/or temperature sender to temperature gauge. So if your setup uses any of those things, then yes you will need it. If your engine doesn't use or have any of those things, then no you don't need it.

As far as hand wiring a new harness. Yes you can do that as well. But I would use marine grade tinned wires in the appropriate colors AND gauges to maintain future issues. And I don't know about your Mercury engine, but I was able to buy new connector ends for my engine harness rebuild for my Johnson OB.

 

[TenE3072]

Thank you so much for the reply and the welcome. I have been here years ago with another project formerly known as tene307. I am just trying to get my new project boat on the water! I forgot on original post that the motor was a 1973 mercury 85 hp serial # 3741731.