76 Mercury 115 starting issues.

[tgvector64]

Hello everybody, its been a while, gave up on my Force 85 and bought this Merc.
I have been reading Bassboys thread and had similar issues with the corroded wiring. I completely bypassed the plug in the side but have one wire that went to nowhere. It was the orange wire that comes from the ignition switch to the plug. There is seven prongs on the plug going into the motor and only six prongholes on the motor side of the plug. The orange wire just seems to end there. Other than that it has all new wiring. Just don't have a clue where that orange one goes.
Everything seems to work fine but im not getting power to the coil and no spark at all.
Im not familiar with the switch box but everything seems to get power where its supposed to except the coil wire when the key is turned on.

 

[tgvector64]

Re: 76 Mercury 115 starting issues.

OK. I found a wiring diagram for this motor.
It shows the key switch diagram, D-E is the off. black and orange wires.
A-F is the run. Red and white wires
A-F-B is run start wires. red and white and yellow
I still don't understand why the orange wire ends at the plug connector. there is no E terminal on the engine side of the plug.
Does it connect to something inside the plug where it ends.
I don't understand the D-E connection for the off position,D is ground and E is the orange wire that goes nowhere. If you disconnect the red and white for the run position shouldn't it turn off?

 

[merc850]

Re: 76 Mercury 115 starting issues.

According to the 1975-8 manual the orange wire is for the 1976 850 switchbox kill that's why it is not in your engine harness, just wire it per manual.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 76 Mercury 115 starting issues.

Vector, Your motor has a battery-powered CDI Ignition system. The orange wire is not used on those types of ignitions. The orange wire is used to ground Alternator Driven Ignition (ADI) systems (distributorless) to kill spark and stop the motor. The IL6 Mercs had distributors up until 1979 and 1/2.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 76 Mercury 115 starting issues.

Download and study the CDI Ignition troubleshooting guide

ISSUU - CDI Electronics Practical Outboard Ignition Troubleshooting by CDI Electronics

You will find all ignitions in there, find yours. You will see step by step instructions how to test for spark, and how to test each ignition part to determine which one is at fault.

Repost your progress so we will know how you are doing.

 

[tgvector64]

Re: 76 Mercury 115 starting issues.

Well thank you very much, that explains that orange wire. I will check out that site and find out whats going on with this.
I will check in soon and let you know my progress.