1996 Mercury 40 wonbt run

[dickie_walls]

"I was cruising the everglades

"I was cruising the everglades in my bass pro 16 when my mercury 40 died. It died without hesitation, sputter or cough. It died as if the switch had been turned off. I checked the fuel bulb, switches and such, and it would spin but would not fire. I used my kicker to get home and checked all the fuses and connection I could reach. I pulled a plug and found there was no fire when I turned the engine. Is there another fuse I could not find? I checked the kill switch, it seemed ok. What should I check next? Thanks!"

 

[justintime]

unplug the black/yellow wire f

unplug the black/yellow wire from switch box
did you get sparky?

 

[dickie_walls]

"I unplugged the black/yellow

"I unplugged the black/yellow wire at the connection on the starboard side of the engine and tested for spark. I got no spark, but the starter jammed in the cranking position and I could not disengage it at the switch. I had to pull the battery cable off to stop the starter. I have had long term problems with the switch. After start I have had to position it manually to get the alarm horn to stop. Would unplugging the black/yellow wire prevent the switch from disengagement, or do I have a fried switch?"

 

[justintime]

sounds like a bad switch

sounds like a bad switch

 

[dickie_walls]

The switch is hard wired into

The switch is hard wired into a long pigtail. Where should I look for a replacement?

 

[justintime]

merc dealer

merc dealer

 

[dickie_walls]

Thanks for your help! I'l

Thanks for your help! I'll start with that and see if the switch is the whole problem.

 

[dickie_walls]

"Hello again!
I continue to p

"Hello again!
I continue to pursue the 40 hp electrical ghost in my outboard. I went to a dealer who didn't stock the starter switch. They were kind enough to tell me how to find out if the switch was the problem. I disconnected the cable to attempt to see if I could get spark without the switch connection to the engine. I did not. Further, when I touched the battery terminal the starter engaged again. I manually lowered the bendix from the flywheel, and still got major sparks when touching the + cable to the battery. I disconnected the cable at the starter and found that I got about a half gauge reading on my multimeter between the + and - posts of the starter. Should there be juice across there, or do I have a short in the starter? I followed the wired under the cover to the master electrical buss. There I found the connection leading from the battery to the right post of a black device (I don't know what it is). There is not continuity between that post and the left side of the black device. Is this device a solenoid? Might it be where the short is?
Thanks!"

 

[beckerjs]

"it sounds like you found the

"it sounds like you found the solinoid, enter your serial number here
http://www.usboatsupply.com/Mercury_Mercruiser_Parts_Catalog3a.php?mc=01"