Need help with boat not starting

[mmhamh]

4.3L OMC Merc Cruiser

Starts and when you let off the key it dies

Have tried: replacing spark plugs, cap rotor points condenser, ingnition switch seems to work fine

any suggestions? thanks!

[Bergalia]

Try the obvious - have you fuel; is there a spark. Is the fuel getting through to meet the spark. Is butterfly lifting when you open throttle ?

[longliner45]

ignition switch?

[mmhamh]

someone put in the wrong starter, and put both the coil wire and the s wire on the same terminal, so the coil was only getting power when trying to start.

[timgoz]

That did not take long!

Tim