Mercury Keys?

[reelfishin]

Might anyone know what info I need off an outboard control to order keys?
I picked up a pair of motors but no keys with the controls. Both are mid 80's motors.
I don't see any numbers on the ignition switches at all? I took both down to a local locksmith and he couldn't even find a blank to fit. I don't have a dealer that stocks keys and they told me I need the key number to order keys.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Mercury Keys?

Your kinds lost without any numbers but there are only a handful of keys that fit Mercs. Is there a boat junkyard around you can try different keys they should have?

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Mercury Keys?

Most Mercury dealers have a ring of numbered keys they can use to determine what you need.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Mercury Keys?

My Merc dealer handed me a huge ring of keys and told me to try to find one that fit. Just bring the boat up to the dealer and test out a few.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Mercury Keys?

If its the push to choke switch, look where key inserts and there will be a letter(A-F) and that will tell what series you need as the are only 2 keys per series..ie: 1A or 2A

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Mercury Keys?

The one controller with the push to choke has a number stamped in the plastic cover about 3" from the key switch that reads 241A, but the dealer said that's not a key code. There's nothing on the end of the key switch, on anywhere on the back that I see.
I took both controllers to two dealers, neither one had any keys, one told me that this stuff was too old, both said they were only 'package dealers' and only sell boats with Mercury motors but they don't stock any motors or parts. The next nearest dealer is pretty far away. The last time I was in there they told me my 1995 Mercury 115 was too old and all but refused to order parts for me. I ended up ordering what I needed online.

Is there any online sources if I can figure out what keys I need?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Mercury Keys?

You will need to open up the controller(s) and take a look at/on the body of the key switch. There "should" be a sticker there identifying the key. It may be rotated out of sight so you may have to loosen the lock nut and rotate the switch assy a little.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Mercury Keys?

I have both of these open now, neither switch has any markings or stickers.
The one with the push to choke switch has an odd key blank I guess, I went to a local locksmith that said he can make keys for these but he couldn't find a key to fit in the tumbler at all. The other one he says takes a 113 which he punched right out. The push to choke cylinder looks like all the others, the wires are soldered on it, but out of all the outboard key blanks he stocks, there was no match.
He hit me for $3.00 for each key for the one box, and says if he can find a blank he can make me a key to fit.
I called 4 dealers, one outright told me I needed to buy a new controller, the second said they no longer sell keys due to not being able to verify whether or not it was stolen or not, another said they never heard of a master set of keys, and the last told me they can only order keys if I knew my key number, and they wanted $15 per key.

If I knew the other key number, chances are I could order the keys or blanks for a lot less then $15 each. Mercury motors are few and far between around here, especially older models. Several dealers sell boats with Mercury motors but none sell parts or motors. If it were a Johnnyrude I have 4 dealers that would stock the keys.
Another point is that if I have to spend $15 per key, for the cost of a pair of keys I could buy a new switch and be done with it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Mercury Keys?

Sounds like your local dealers are loco. Soldering in a new switch is not hard, and it sounds like your best hope to get away from those guys.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Mercury Keys?

Look where you insert key for the code....may need a magnifying glass but it there and its not on the switch body..