Is my switchbox bad?

[WebbieWorks]

The boat would die when I would try to put it in gear and throttle it. Then it wouldnt fire at all.

I was reading the manual and it said to disconnect the "black/yellow" wire from the switchbox. I did that and the boat fired right up (although it wouldnt shut off by key, I had to choke it out), but it still wouldnt go anywhere when I put it in throttle. Well let me say, the boat would go in a slow speed if I kept chocking it. (Like keep pushing the key in and out before it died)

Does this mean I need a new switchbox? Is there anyway to test them?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Is my switchbox bad?

Sounds like the switchbox is fine. You might post year and HP of the motor. Normally that kind of behavior is dirty or mis-adjusted carbs.

 

[WebbieWorks]

Re: Is my switchbox bad?

Sorry about that,

1980 80 hp 4 cyl Mercury

As for it being dirty carb, What would cause it not to fire with the "black/yellow" connected?

 

[WebbieWorks]

Re: Is my switchbox bad?

I just put the "black/yellow" wire back on and the motor wont even turn over. Any suggestions on that?

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Is my switchbox bad?

The black/yellow kill wire is designed to send stator voltage to ground (instead of to the switchbox) to end spark and "kill" the motor in one of two events:
1) Key off
2) Motor tilted up (has a mercury switch on the powerhead)

So the black/yellow wire is grounding somewhere, quite likely a bad (or improperly mounted) mercury switch. Once you find the switch, it should have its own pigtail to ground; disconnect that and you'll find out if the switch is the problem.

Now your other problem (choking out when it does run) is probably separate, and as mentioned likely due to dirty carbs.