Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

[vampirefish]

Hello all. I first want to thank everyone on this forum. I've received such great information on my new 'project' and just love visiting often to learn anything new!<br /><br />Ok, back to the issue at hand: Well, I'm trying to get my motor running (1965 900 Merc inline 6 outboard). I turn the key and...nothing. I've changed out the battery (it was no good)...still nothing. Upon further inspection of the positive and negative battery cables (going from the battery to the engine) I saw that they were cracking and almost breaking apart, so I've bought some new wires/battery connectors. <br /><br />My question: There is a 'plug' that plugs onto the outside of my engine (which the battery and switchbox wires connect to) -- so can I just replace this plug (after market)? If so...where would I find this? I don't even know what 'type' it is. My shop manual shows a wire diagram, but no more specific info on this. I don't want to buy a whole new wire harness. The other cables look OK (so far - I'm still in the middle of inspecting everything). <br /><br />This poor boat was sitting outside (in the Northwest rain) with no cover so it needs some TLC and so do the wires. <br /><br />Thanks so much in advance!<br /><br />-kary

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Do an eBay search for Mercury Remote Control. There's one on there for an early 60s Merc, but I think yours may use the newer style harness connector. It may be worth checking out. It comes with an incomplete control box, but the harness is in nice shape. Look at your main plug. If yours has two big pin sockets and 4 small ones kinda arranged in a diamond shape, it would be what you need. I don't think there have ever been any aftermarket alternatives.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Some of the side plug harnesses are for battery ign. and some are for magneto ign. they look the same but won't interchange. CDI Electrorics (Rapair) builds engine and boat harness for Mercury engines

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Thanks everyone! Hopefully I won't have to change this thing out. I'm going to run some more tests tonight - continuity from battery to starter, etc to hopefully rule out a problem with the plug!

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Ok, so I've been troubleshooting the wiring...<br />(I turn the key and nothing happens). I've been using my shop manual, voltmeter and continuity tester. <br />1. Tested all wires for continuity - all passed.<br />2. Battery is new and fully charged.<br />3. I think I have a bad solenoid and the ONLY reason why I say 'I think' is because I'm having a problem performing a test prior to this. (the one after shows that my solenoid is bad, however ... ) I'm supposed to run some tests in a sequentional order to help troubleshoot the problem at hand. <br />4. Ignition Switch test: My manual tells me to connect the voltmeter between a good engine ground (no problem) and ignition switch (on the side that goes to the solenoid). Then turn the ignition key to the START position (ok, got that with a little help from the wife). Now if there's no voltage reading, it's the igntion switch.<br /><br />Ok, here's the stupid question: where's my ignition switch? Does this mean, simply, the key ignition (in the control housing)? My wiring diagram does not show an ignition switch, but again, I’m thinking they mean the key?<br /><br />Any help would be mucho appreciated!

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Yes - they mean the key ignition.<br /><br />-W

 

[Laddies]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Yes. they are talking about the key switch, a OHM meter will not show a bad voltage connection, in somecases if you connect a volt meter to ground and the positive side of the solinoid and have 12v turn the key to the start position, if you don't lose power, your problem is in the plug in (ck for dirty connection and spread the connectors) if that don't work you will have to take the box apart and ck for voltage on the input to the switch, then turn to start again if it loses voltage it's the plug or harness, if it don't go the output side of the switch, again ck for voltage in the same manner, no voltage bad switch, if you have voltage, bad harness or wire and etc. back to the engine--Bob

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Wiring for 1965 900 Merc

Hey thanks for the info. I found out that the issue is in my switch. I was fiddling with the (coroded) wires, turned the key and the engine tried to turnover! .<br /><br />So...another question -- What type of switch can I use on this? There is no part number listed for this in my manual. I see one on this site http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...ercury&**********=349043849&*******=790304325 that looks to be a 'generic-type' Mercury switch with 6 wire leads. My swtich has 4 posts (connectors) with only 5 wires connected to it. Not sure if this would work or not. I think it would, I mean mine is a switch that has 3 positions. Ebay hasn't really pulled much up. Any advice would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks so much!<br /><br />-kary