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RickR
04-13-2003, 07:16 AM
More info on wiring codes. Sorry about the format, it was copied (from an unfamilar source, double check info)



Depending on the year of manufacture, some 70's and early 80's vintage boats had a different wiring color scheme than what has become standard today. Listed below is the comparison color code charts.
If considering re-wiring an older unit; it is best to update all the wiring colors and not to mix the two codes.


Direct Current (DC) Systems (under 50 volts)

Old Color New (BIA) Color Where Used

Black Black All Grounds

Black/Yellow
Ignition kill circuit

Black Brown Alternator charge light
Pumps (bilge, live-well, etc.)
Reference Electrode - MerCathode

Brown/Orange
Power feed to Auto-bilge switches

Black Orange
Accessory common feed
Distribution Panel to Accessory switch
Anode Electrode - MerCathode

Red/White Orange
Alternator Output to Ammeter

Blue Lt. Blue/White
Trim -"Up" Switch

Brown Gray Tachometer Signal

Dark Gray
Navigation Lights

Green Green/White
Trim -"Down" Switch

Green Tan Water Temp. Sender to Gauge

Orange Lt. Blue
Oil Pressure Sender (10 Gauge)

Pink Pink Fuel Gauge Sender to Gauge

Purple Brown/White
Trim Sender to Trim Gauge

Purple Purple/White
Trim -"Trailer" Switch

Red Red Unprotected Wires from Battery

Red Red/Purple
Protected (Fused) Wires from Battery
Protected (+12V) to Trim Panel

Tan Purple/Yellow
Ballast Bypass

White Purple
(+12V) Ignition power feed from Switch
Instrument power feed

Yellow Yellow
Bilge blowers
Alternator field to reg. field terminal
Starter Solenoid to Starter Motor
(MCM 470 and some Ford products)

Yellow Yellow/Red
Starter Switch to Starter Solenoid
to Neutral Start switch

Tan/blue
Warning system sense wire
(Audio warning)

Yellow/Black
Neutral Safety switch
(transmission mounted)

White/Green
Ignition module to Distributor
(Mercury Thunderbolt ignition)

White/Red
Ignition module to Distributor
(Mercury Thunderbolt Ignition)

Dark Green
Bonding Wires (earth ground)

Dark blue
Cabin, courtesy, and instrument lights

With the addition of electronic fuel injection and other modern engine control systems, color codes and wiring systems are getting more complicated. Be very careful when testing wires for power and/or continuity. Use the chart above as reference only.