Wire harness ? Please help.

billynjuls

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 21, 2005
Messages
35
I have a 1978 Mariner 80 HP Model 80 ser # 4843369. The wire harness was shot when I bought it. I have the new harness but I'm not sure where some of the wires go since the old harness covers were corroded off. I'm a newbie so please bear with me. I have 4 wires that I need help with:<br /><br />Black 18 Gauge wire. It says it goes to the negative terminal on starter solenoid. My starter solenoid has 4 post. 2 large ones and 2 small ones. I know what goes on the large post, but how do I know which is the negative terminal on the solenoid. I can't see anything written on it.<br /><br />Yellow: It says it goes on the start terminal on starter solenoid. Again,I know it goes to one of the smaller ones because the end of the wire is small like the post, but which one.<br /><br />Orange: Kill circuit. I understand this one but in my manual it shows it being tied into my mercury switch,which leads me to I have 2 wires coming from my mercury switch so where do they go?<br /><br />Brown: Tachometer signal: No idea where this one goes. My manual doesn't even show it.<br /><br />I have the SELOC manual and it shows the wiring diagram but I swear it's not for my motor. The color wires that it shows in there is not the same colors as my harness. Thanks for any help. If anyone has a diagram that shows it correctly I would appreciate it.<br /><br />Billy
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,141
Re: Wire harness ? Please help.

Billy, The black wire will ground one side of the starter solenoid primary (small connector). On my '77 Merc, it is the rear terminal on the solenoid. The brown (tach) wire connects to one of the AC sides of the rectifier(yellow w/ red stripe comming from the stator?). Yellow connects to the front primary connector of the starter Solenoid. Orange wire: I'm not sure where this goes, since I believe you have a ADI (distributorless) Ignition. I think it connects to the switchbox. Grey is for elec. choke.<br /><br />You don't need to connect the mercury switch if you do not want to. It simply kills the ignition if you tilt the motor too far.
 

billynjuls

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 21, 2005
Messages
35
Re: Wire harness ? Please help.

Thank you so much. That helps immensely.<br /><br />Billy
 
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