Hi everyone. Last weekend on the lake I had the unfortunate experience of having my 1988 Mercury Black Max v175 catch fire. Thankfully no one was hurt and a kind DNR officer towed me to the dock.
After checking the engine out I've determined the fire to have been electrical but the fire did a little damage so I have to replace some key electrical components. So far not too bad and the dollar amount is minimal.
I've replaced the following so far.
1. New Wire Harness
2. New Stator due to old Stator wires melting
3. New Starter Solenoid
4. New Rectifier (Old Rectifier is cause of fire)
5. Idle Stabilizer also needed to be replaced but everything I've read said not to waste my money and just omit during rebuild.
The only thing I've been unable to find is something called the "Mercury Switch". I've identified it via my repair manuals but for the life of me can not find the item for sale anywhere online.
It's a simple small oval black sealed component mounted directly to the engine just above my switch boxes and the rectifier.
It's wired inline with the Black-Yellow wire coming from the main harness. From there the wire splits and goes to Inside and Outside Switch Boxes. There are no other wires coming from the item except a ground.
I'm not sure what this switch does nor if it's even necessary, I'm thinking since I can find the item online nowhere that it's not necessary??? Any help finding this part or more information on it would be most welcome.
Also, anyone know what would cause a recitifier to catch fire? I've identified the rectifier as the source of the fire.
Thanks!!!
After checking the engine out I've determined the fire to have been electrical but the fire did a little damage so I have to replace some key electrical components. So far not too bad and the dollar amount is minimal.
I've replaced the following so far.
1. New Wire Harness
2. New Stator due to old Stator wires melting
3. New Starter Solenoid
4. New Rectifier (Old Rectifier is cause of fire)
5. Idle Stabilizer also needed to be replaced but everything I've read said not to waste my money and just omit during rebuild.
The only thing I've been unable to find is something called the "Mercury Switch". I've identified it via my repair manuals but for the life of me can not find the item for sale anywhere online.
It's a simple small oval black sealed component mounted directly to the engine just above my switch boxes and the rectifier.
It's wired inline with the Black-Yellow wire coming from the main harness. From there the wire splits and goes to Inside and Outside Switch Boxes. There are no other wires coming from the item except a ground.
I'm not sure what this switch does nor if it's even necessary, I'm thinking since I can find the item online nowhere that it's not necessary??? Any help finding this part or more information on it would be most welcome.
Also, anyone know what would cause a recitifier to catch fire? I've identified the rectifier as the source of the fire.
Thanks!!!
