We have a mercury 60 2stroke outboard engine and nothing happens when you turn the key to start it

Question edited for clarity, but needs engine model and HP.
Question moved from Dishwashers.

Some ideas here. Check that the impeller spins (the drive is okay), but it sounds like you have blocked passageways.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1993+Mercury+Outboard+Engine.+Why+is+it+not+peeing

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If your old engine/control has the same 'options' as the30hp, yes everything is compatible... (Electric start or trim )
The throttle and shift cables are allways compatible...

Red is Battery +
Red/purple is ignition
Yellow/red is startermotor
Black/yellow is motor kill
Black is ground

To have ignition, black/yellow wire must be disconnected
On is red/purple on bat+
To start Yellow/red on batt+
To kill: black/yellow on ground

check the cdi

remove the recoil unit and under there you will see a groove on top of the flywheel where you put a rope to emergency start ! fix recoil after you know engine ok !

call mercury outboard they can tell you the answer to your question

remove carb and clean jets etc !

Sounds Like You Have An Ignition Switch Problem,
Disconnect Yellow/Red Wire From Starter Solenoid In The Engine,
Turn Key On Does It Try To Start Y/N
If Yes Then Starter Solenoid Is At Fault /Replace It!
Good Luck

If it would not move (rotate) you had a pump failure. A bad pump will often pump enough to go fast but nothing at idle so will quickly sieze.

check the key that year modle has a chip in the key and if it was around something magnetic it could have lost it's programing. If that is not it the there is a fuel rail with what looks like a air pressure valve. turn the key on and press that valve if fuel sprays out it is your key. If fuel doesn't spray the it is your pump