What is this cable, and do I need to fix it now?

[Coosa Redeye]

OK, got a tournament in the morning. Was looking over the boat and noticed a broken steel cable. I do not know where it goes. Is it some thing that definitely need to be replaced before the morning? If so, where does the other end go?

Thank you for your quick response.



BTW, This is a 2015 Mercury 250 Optimax.

[rchavis]

Thats looks like your ground cable . Replace and use blue loctite tread locker on the nut and torque down to 20 ft pounds .....i think i just read on a post Don was asking a person to do ?

[Coosa Redeye]

I cannot seem to find the other end of this short thing. Where does it attach?

[jethro1]

That is a bonding cable. It electrically connects two components together to mitigate the likelihood of corrosion.

The motor will operate just fine without it but it is recommended that it be replaced. It is more important in salt water than fresh water. I suspect that you operate in the latter.

The applicable parts catalog or service manual will depict the two components that are wired together. I would post an illustration but get my hand slapped when I do. Even if Mercury says that it is OK.

[Coosa Redeye]

Thank you for the input. I just did not want to mess the motor up tomorrow on the "Big G."

[SilverFox579]

I cannot seem to find the other end of this short thing. Where does it attach?

It attaches to the rusty spot behind the nut in you picture. What looks like a washer is the terminal lug for the grounding strap and you can see where it broke off.

[Coosa Redeye]

It attaches to the rusty spot behind the nut in you picture. What looks like a washer is the terminal lug for the grounding strap and you can see where it broke off.

MUCH APPRECIATED! Now I know how to fix it.

Thank you again.

[JOE54]

motor toters will cut um at contact erea on swivel brkt

[SoonerFan]

motor toters will cut um at contact erea on swivel brkt

That's right. I cut a notch in my Lock & Stow to keep it from doing that.