Mercury kill switch

CBC

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
34
I have a 1978 Merc 800 and I got a after market kill switch for it.... unfortunatly it didn't come with instructions. On the back of the switch are 4 terminals, 2 labled coil, 2 labled magneto... what do you hook-up with what? I have a wireing diagram in my Seloc manual, I just don't know how the switch works.

Thanx in advance,
Crunch
 

triumphrick

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
1,737
Re: Mercury kill switch

All kill switches I have worked on ground the ignition to prevent spark. On mercury's there should be a black/yellow wire at the control switch that when grounded keeps the motor from running. You can take the ground wire you find at the keyswitch and run it through the kill switch to that black/yellow wire. Use a meter to find the N/O (normally open) contacts.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Mercury kill switch

You have a universal kill switch which means it works with both magneto and coil ignition systems. You use the two MAGNETO terminals for your outboard. Locate the two "M" terminals on the back of the ignition switch. Connect the two terminals on the kill switch to the two "M" terminals on the ignition switch. With the lanyard attached to the kill switch, that switch is open and the engine will run. Pulling the lanyard closes the kill switch shorting the ignition to ground thus killing the engine.
 

CBC

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
34
Re: Mercury kill switch

Thanx guys... Silvertips post was the perfect "kill switch for dummies", I'll use that :D
 
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