Merc 9.9 kicker question

[midex717]

Gents,

I have a Merc 9.9 hp kicker on my boat. There is what I believe to be a ground wire above the lower gear bullet. The wire is connected between the lower unit frame, and the gear tube? on the front of the lower unit, spanning the gap between the two. My question is, if that wire breaks, or looses its connection, will the motor start, or kill if it running?

Thanks for your input!

[boatfixer]

That is a grounding strap for anti-corrosion and has nothing to do with the operation of the motor. Something we typically dont have to worry about here. There are some "what if's", and have seen some strange things happen outside of salt water, but quite rare.