Kill switch info???

[wcasey911]

I recently purchased a used Sprint 255 Bass Boat.  The kill switch system appears to be inoperable.  I say that because it runs without havng a clip snapped on/in anything.  When I bought it the lanyard was attached to the key via a keyring.  I ASSumed the key would jerk out and kill the motor.  Well, I discovered that is not the case.  Does anyone have any ideas how this system is bypassed?  It was suggested that if a clip were attached, then pulled from around the ignition that it would kill the motor, but after that the motor would still start without reconnecting the clip.  I'm not doubting what they said, but I guess I'm looking for a second opinion on that or to see if anyone else has experienced that scenario.  I plan on buying a new clip and lanyard this afternoon and trying it out.  If that does not work does anyone have other suggestions?  Thanks!!

[reellittlephish]

First off, if you can't resolve this yourself get a marine mechanic to look at it ASAP.  Ejecting from the boat and getting driven over will ruin your day. You found the little knobbed stud somewhere near the ignition key slot??.  The stud should be in the pulled out position for the motor to run or start.   Anything else is not safe.  If the motor starts and runs as you say, the safety circuit could have been jumped under the dash; carefully check the wiring.

[wcasey911]

My key has to be able to be pushed in.  It serves as a primer for cold starting the motor.  I haven't had a chance to get down and dirty looking at it.  I plan on doing that this afternoon and I'll report what I find.

[Ben]

What kind of motor? OMC/BRP work just the reverse of a Mercury and don't know which way a Yamaha works.   With a Johnson/Evinrude, the kill switch applies a ground and a Mercury cuts the voltage off, so the Johnny Rudes are wired normally open and the Merc is wired normally closed.  They both are connected between the key switch and the motor and just does the same thing the key switch does when you turn the key off.   The Key switch cuts the voltage off going to a mercury motor and applies a ground on a Johnny Rude when you turn the key off.  

[wcasey911]

Update,

I went by Boater's World today and bought a new lanyard with 7 diferent keys to try. I got home and was able to figure out which one clipped on and got the emergency kill switch working.   Yahoo!!

I was worried it was going to be a headache.  I determined that when the key is pushed in it activates the kill system then when it's let out quickly it turns the key to the off position.  The clip holds the key in the depressed position then when it gets jerked out the key pops back out and switches to the off position killing the motor.  If all that makes sense to you..LOL

Thanks for the suggestions you gave.