Merc 80 Ignition switch wiring.

[Mle jean]

I'm sorry if this has been answered a million times; however I am a very green boat owner and we are working to replace an ignition switch on 80hp Mercury outboard (unsure of year but guessing 80's). We have the ignition switch and we do not have a purple wire coming out of our boat. The colors we have brown/tan orange red yellow black absolutely no purple. Can someone please help?

 

[achris]

Hello Mle jean and :welcome: aboard..

I've move your post to a thread of its own...

It looks like the colour coding you have is pre-BIA wiring.

These are the switch colours for a 1980's 80hp ignition switch (Engine WITHOUT a distributor).

'A' terminal - Red - Battery
'B' terminal - Yellow - Start
'D' terminal - Black - Negative
'E' terminal - Orange - Ignition 'kill'.
'F' terminal - White - Switched +12v

Post the engine serial number and I'll be able to give you a year.

Chris.......

 

[Mle jean]

Chris thank you so much! So with the info you have given what would the colors go to per the pic attached or did they sell us the wrong ignition? I'm waiting on serial number, thanks!!

 

[achris]

Your Red wire would go to the new switch post 'B'.
Your Yellow wire would go to the new switch post 'S'.
Your Black wire would go to the new switch post 'M' (the one at the bottom).
Your Orange wire would go to the new switch post 'M' (the one between B and C).
Your White wire would go to the new switch post 'I'.

Chris...........