What the heck is this?

[mpbond]

I found this lying under the engine on the lower cowl.



Just bought the boat. It's a 1986 Mariner 40El 6E9 engine.

 

[racerone]

Looks like it is the nuetral only start switch.---------Should only allow the starter to crank when control is in nuetral.

 

[mpbond]

Ah, thanks. I've had this weird intermittent rattle since I bought the boat. This would explain it.