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Reference Articles

We have a collection of reference articles (such as an FAQ) for your boat repairs and projects. Most of these articles are linked from the topics where they are relevant, but you can also find them all on this page: type in the search box to narrow down the list.

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Outboard wire colours

Details of the wire colours of the common functions in each brand of outboard motor.

FunctionYamahaJohnsonEvinrudeMercuryHondaSuzukiTohatsu
Battery positiveRedRed/BlackRed/BlackRedWhite/BlackWhiteRed
Battery negativeBlackBlackBlackBlackBlackBlackBlack
Temperature light/Gauge SenderPinkTan/OrangeTan/OrangeTanYellow/GreenPinkLight blue
Low oil senderGreen/RedTan/BlackTan/BlackTan/BlackYellowN/ALight green
No oil senderN/ATan/YellowTan/YellowN/AN/ABlackN/A
Warning buzzerGrey/GreenTanTanTan/BlueRedBlueYellow
TachometerGreen/RedGreyGreyGrayGrayYellowLight green
ChokeBluePurple/WhitePurple/WhiteYellow/BlackBrownN/ABlue
StartBrownYellow/RedYellow/RedYellow/RedBlack/WhiteBrownGreen
Lanyard / Kill SwitchWhiteBlack/YellowBlack/YellowBlack/YellowBlack/RedGreenBrown
Neutral safety switchN/AYellow/RedYellow/RedYellow/RedN/ABrownGreen
Trim senderPink/BlackWhite/TanWhite/TanBrown/WhiteYellow/BlueWhite/YellowPink & Light green
Key/Ingition onYellowPurplePurplePurpleBlack/YellowGrayRed
Trim upLight blueBlue/WhiteBlue/WhiteLight blue/whiteGreenLight blueGreen
Trim downLight greenGreen/WhiteGreen/WhiteLight green/WhiteBluePinkBlue
Check engine lightN/AN/AN/AN/AN/AGrayN/A