[Medic35]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have a 1997 shabah 198. I'm getting shocked when I turn the key. I was planning on running a new ground from the battery to the switch but I'm not sure which wire is the ground and I don't have a volt meter. Red and black wires are going to the same terminal, which I'm assuming is the problem, but the previous owner did some "spectacular" electrical work and I'm afraid to start repairing his mistakes. Does anyone know of a wiring schematic for the ignition switch?

[ColoradoDiablo]

First off welcome!

Ok.....if you have a black wire running to the switch your in trouble unless someone spliced into a wire.
Here's what you should be looking for:

Red/Purple Wire = B Post On Switch
Purple Wire = I Post On Switch
Yellow/Red = S Post On Switch

Hope that's what your after. This is from Mercs 4.3 manual but should be identical for all engine combos