posted 01-30-2010 11:49 AM ET (US)        

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[This author's article has been re-written to conform with our very simple and minimal guidelines regarding writing style in use of capital latters.]

[I] need to know [which] wires go where on the key switch. [I] know the white goes to the [unclear, probably means "battery"], brown to the [unclear--used an unfamiliar abbreviation] and the red to the push to choke, but [I] don't know where the yellow , green, and the black go on the switch. [I] have three more post on the switch: they are [perhaps quoting as follows "mag. circ."] , ignition , an one that just has an 'M" on it. [T]ell me where these wires go. [T]hank you 1978 SUZUKI Spirit 50-HP.

posted 01-30-2010 07:28 PM ET (US)            

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Outboard engine ignition switch wiring is shown in

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/ignitionSwitch.html

ASIDE: I had no idea that SUZUKI was making outboard motors in 1978.

posted 01-30-2010 07:42 PM ET (US)            

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You can find the usual small boat color coding for wiring at

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/wireColorCode.html

You can probably make a reasonable inference that the "M" terminal on an ignition switch is part of the magneto circuit.

Outboard motors made in Japan do not tend to follow the same color code convention as used in the United States. There is no guarantee that the practice used in 1978 is still current. In 32 years a lot can change.