bypass wire harness?

[bobbo268]

I just bought a boat that has a 96 40hp merc on it. It has a wiring harness on it that goes from the motor to a connector (that would go into another connecting then to the dash). I only plan on installing a trim and a tach, so can i just splice into the connections before the plug instead of buying a new harness, or with this change readings? (i'm pretty sure it would be fine but just wanted to make sure and not spend the extra money on a used harness if i can just cut and solder). Thanks

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: bypass wire harness?

as long as you know which wires to cut and splice, sure. electricity doesn't know if its going through the proper plug. just needs to get to the right places.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: bypass wire harness?

The Tach plug on the MerControl will accept spade connectors. Why not just plug them in? I would tape them to make sure they stay.

 

[bobbo268]

Re: bypass wire harness?

The Tach plug on the MerControl will accept spade connectors. Why not just plug them in? I would tape them to make sure they stay.

I don't have the end of the harness with the connectors which is why I was asking about splicing. Trying to save 20 bucks if can.

And if your talking about plugging them into the end of the harness, it had small holes within the plug I don't know that a spade would fit

 

[Chris1956]

Re: bypass wire harness?

Don't splice into your harness to save $20. The older Mercontrols with the 3 prong tach connects accept male spade connectors just fine. You could probably make a connector out of a piece of a plastic plumbing fitting. Find a plastic cap the fits and drill three holes. Now feed the wires thru and clamp on the spade fittings and install them into the proper spots and shove the cap over the rubber connector. Might even look nice....

 

[bobbo268]

Re: bypass wire harness?

this harness has pin connectors in it, not spade slots. There is about 6 or 7 wires/pins in the end.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: bypass wire harness?

bullet connectors? Butt connectors with the insulation removed? See what fits... Need to trace out wires or at least figure out colors. Should be power, ground, tach sender, maybe PTT wires for up and down, and maybe PTT position sender.