merc hour meter question

[trickasabrick]

This is stupid, but how is the hour meter hooked up on a 4.3LX Mercruiser (96 model)? One lead comes from the wiring harness which I assume is hot from the ignition switch, and the other is just hanging. Does this one go to ground or to the + terminal on the battery. I just bought this boat and have never had one like this before so I figured I'd ask. I could have taken a SWAG but since I had a 50/50 shot I figured I'd screw it up

 

[KaGee]

Re: merc hour meter question

One lead to ground, one to the ignition. Just check the lead coming from the harness for 12 volts before assuming the other side is ground, but it most likely is.

 

[Don S]

Re: merc hour meter question

The + side of your hour meter hooks to the purple wire on your ignition switch. <br />- goes to ground (Black) There is usually a fuse panel with space for extra ground wire.

 

[trickasabrick]

Re: merc hour meter question

Thanks for the replies. The wire that comes from the harness is blue in my case, and the other wire is green. I'm going to check the blue wire with a voltmeter but I'm guessing it is the hot wire. Should it be hot with the ignition in the on position or will the engine have to be running?

 

[Don S]

Re: merc hour meter question

You need to hook up to a purple wire in the wiring harness, it is hot only when the ignition is hot.