Wiring on my ignition switch

[Climber513]

I have an ignition switch for my boat. I have no idea what kind it is, someone that had worked on the boat installed it. I got a new motor and was hooking up the ignition switch when I noticed that I can figure out which wire is battery and which is starter. I have the blacks figured out, the purple is choke, I have a Red and then a Yellow/Red. If I hook up the red to the battery and turn the key the yellow/red gets power. Turn the key to acc and the yellow/red has no power like it should. BUT if I switch those and run yellow/red to the battery and run the red to starter, the same thing happens. Only power when turning the key. So does it not matter which one I use or is there a certain one that is for the Battery? Oh also, when I hook up the Red to battery and Yellow/Red to starter, if I turn the key to acc the choke kicks on and stays on. If I hook up the Yellow/Red to battery and the Red to starter the choke only kicks on when I turn the key to start and kicks off on acc. Any ideas? I know this may be confusing

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Wiring on my ignition switch

Tinkering with the wiring without knowing where those wires are actually connected on the other end could result in an expensive mistake.

How many terminals are on the back of that ignition switch?
They're normally marked and if so, what are the markings?

This new motor... what is it?

And did this wiring (hopefully a wiring harness) that you're working with come with the engine?
What are the colors of those wires?

 

[Snowfish]

Re: Wiring on my ignition switch

I recently install a new switch for a 40hp Johnson. Here's the thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=479138

Once I knew what the wires did, it was a piece of cake. Hope this helps.

 

[Climber513]

Re: Wiring on my ignition switch

Actually if you could answer this question then I'll know which is which. On the choke, should it kick on when the key is turned to the ACC position or should it kick on when the key is turned all the way to turn the motor over and once started and you let go of the key and it goes back to ACC the choke kicks off.

 

[Snowfish]

Re: Wiring on my ignition switch

Mine is push to choke. Meaning it only clicks when the key is pushed in.

There's no reason for the choke to be activated on accessory or when turning to start. A warm engine does not need a choke, so why would it be choking on every start?

Find the pin that activates, when the key is pushed in, with the key in run position. That's where the choke wire goes.