tachometer??

blako66

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I am tryin to hook up a tach on a 1980's mercury 60 hp motor, i was told that the wires whether or not your boat has a tach or not are ran to under the dash, i need to know what color the wire is or where it attaches to motor so i can trace it, is there anyone out there that knows where it hooks up to motor so i can trace the wire to hook up tack, thanks in advance for your help<br /><br />blake
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

ty laddies, do u happen to know how many poles are on the alt. i have to set the switch on the back, as far as i can tell there should b either 4 or 10 or 12
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

ty now if i can track down that grey wire, all the wires r gray under the dash, go figure<br />thanks again<br /><br />blake
 

Dunaruna

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Re: tachometer??

Have a look in the control box, near the ignition switch.
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

when u say control box, r u talkin on the motor or where the key goes
 

Dunaruna

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Re: tachometer??

Where the key goes.<br /><br />IF the loom is connected, it will terminate at the control box - not under the dash. Sometimes there is a plug there specifically for the tach connection, three wire - grey (tach), purple (ign 12v) and black (ground).<br /><br />It may not be there OR it may have been butchered by a previous owner.
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

ok thank u, let me go check, be back soon, thanks for your help, also where does the tach wire mount at on the engine, maybe i can track it that way<br />thanks again<br />blake
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

just looked to control box i have purple/white brown/white light blue/white green/white, are these the wires u r talking about, thanks blake
 

Coolmaker

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Re: tachometer??

The tach plug is located on the front of the control box. As he said there are three wires in the plug..
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

ok, the plug is missing, so where can i get the plug at, I just looked at it, and it seems to have 5 pegs in it, it is at the top of the control box, and the control box is called quick silver, thanks again<br />blake
 

Dunaruna

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Re: tachometer??

Originally posted by blako66:<br /> ty now if i can track down that grey wire, all the wires r gray under the dash, go figure<br />thanks again<br /><br />blake
How can you find the tach wire if ALL are grey? Hopefully, whoever did that wiring job didn't touch the control box - but how can I know? <br /><br />You need to trace the circuit with an OHM meter and locate 'the' grey wire for the tach.<br />If you have the latest PDF reader, you can download a manual here:<br /><br /> http://www.biggerhammer.net/mercury/factory_manuals/Service_Manual_Index.html <br /><br />Aldo
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

ok guys, i know u all r probably gettin tired of me, but i have another question about the tach, i just picked up a plug to go into control box to wire the tach, there is 5 wires to the plug and the grey one is there, so i know that is the signal from the motor, now the man who gave me the plug, local mechanic here said that i can used the purple wire for power, and the black for the ground out of the plug, my question is that according to what i can understand on the wiring diagram those color wires are not power or ground, so can someone let me know if i can hook up tack straight from plug, or do i have to run seperate power and ground from battery, thanx again for all the help u all have givin me, i just want to make sure the mechanic wasnt steering me in the wrong direction<br /><br />thx blake blakenrobin@AOL.COM
 

Dunaruna

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Re: tachometer??

Older mercs had a different wire color code but I believe that changed in the mid 70's, maybe someone else can confirm that.<br /><br />It's possible that someone has changed the color code on your boat (it sounds as though 'bubba the butcher' has been playing with crimping pliers).<br /><br />Mercurys wire color code for the tach is:<br /><br />Grey, tach signal<br /><br />Purple, Ignition 12 volts (not battery 12 volts)<br /><br />Black, Common ground.<br /><br />Connect a volt meter between the purple and black, turn ignition on and off. What does the meter tell you?<br /><br />Aldo
 

blako66

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Re: tachometer??

ty u aldo, i got it, wired it just like u said, it works great, but do u happen to know what idle rpms should b on a 60 hp 3 cylinder about mid 80's, thanks again, u guys r great<br /><br />blake
 
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