Merc 4.5 no spark all of a sudden

[thatone123]

Was running then next day no spark...found the kill switch wires completely falling apart with all the insulation flaking off and wire corruded in one section. Took out the kill switch. Am wondering if there are no kill wires will it spark and run. I believe I have saw in various places that is what you can do. Many times it will say disconnect the kill switch and see if it sparks? Not much info I can find on these 4.5 late 70's Mercs?

 

[alldodge]

To shut down the motor the magneto is grounded, either by the kill switch or the key being turned to OFF. So disconnecting the kill switch will allow the motor to run so long as the mag is not grounded somewhere along the wire.