purple wires from ignition switch Malibu Skier

[ekeef01]

Boat info:
1994 Malibu Skier 20'
5.7l 350 Mercruiser

I attempted to go to the lake today and as a cranked my boat I smelt that burning battery smell. I looked in the bow and noticed my positive lead from my battery had been completely melted.

I noticed a short running back through my battery cable and traced it back to those two purple wires that come off the bottom of my ignition. Does anyone know where those go to other than all the gauges? I pulled all the purple wires from the gauges and the short was still there, however if I pull both purple wires off the ignition it goes away. Thanks for the help.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: purple wires from ignition switch Malibu Skier

The purple wires could not have caused the battery cable end/ battery post to melt.corroded connector, loose connector, very high starter draw are suspects. what you are seeing is the ign components on the engine.
Unless your engine is in the bow also, you need to move the battery closer to the motor or use battery cables 3/4 of an inch thick copper stranded