Expert: Everett Peacock - 1/28/2010

Question
QUESTION: motor won't run, but if i HOLD/turned the ignition key. the motor runs great. if i let go of the key the motor turn off.what can it be?

ANSWER: what type boat and engine, what year and what horsepower??

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QUESTION: 19FT.- 1996 QUEST BOAT BY OMC AND HAS A 1996 EVINRUDE 115HP 2 CYCLE.

ANSWER: replace the ign switch.. it is either in the box, or on the dash...

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QUESTION: I ALREADY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A NEW ONE AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING.

Answer
the wiring to the switch should be as follows, red, black, purple, purple with stripe, black with a stripe, yellow ..  black is ground, the red wire provides a constant voltage to the switch from the battery..  purple w/ stripe should be for the choke..when the key is pushed in. black w /stripe, goes to the powerpack to kill the ignition. yellow goes to the starter solenoid, it has voltage when turned to the crank position...purple has voltage when in the on position...wither the switch is bad or there is a short somewhere giving that wire voltage....