kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

stonecobbler

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Jun 16, 2010
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Hi Experts
On the evinrude i just installed on my boat has 2 wires that are twisted together with a cap on the end i am assuming that is active and when i pull the wires apart that would kill the engine, So if that is the case i should be able to run those cables to the front of the boat to a wrist kill switch, Please let me know if i have that right.
Thanks
Wayne
 

wbeaton

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

Its not that nobody knows the answer its that nobody knows what those wires are. There should be absolutely NO marettes under your hood. Also, normally the switch works by touching the wires together not pulling them apart. Who knows what you have going on under there.
 

mike1245

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

it will help to know what color the wires are?
 

stonecobbler

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

ah,,i understand

so these wires are on the outside of the motor that is why i think they are active when they are twisted together as that is how the motor came when i bought it,,,if you need to know what color they are i could take a picture if that would help.

thank you
Wayne
 

jtexas

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

if it's a color picture, it might help. Unless the wires are dirty/greasy/faded. A description might help as well.
 

Fed

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

If you could trace those wires back and tell us where they come from would also be a big help.
 

stonecobbler

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

It looks to me like both wires are black,,,or really dirty,,,,my motor is a pull start non tiller with a large black push button kill switch just below the pull cord and next to the choke,, i would imagine these wires are also linked to that button somehow for ability to run a kill switch to the front,,i guess one way to find out is to start the motor in a barrel with wires together and then again with them apart. Sorry no pictures because i can't find camera usb cord at the moment but i don't think it would help anyway.
Wayne
 

Chinewalker

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

What model are we talking about here? Not familiar with a 20 that has the pull cord down low with a kill switch button just below it. A model number would help us sort things out...
 

stonecobbler

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

j20crcsa says johnson 20hp 1980 canadian rope start but has an evinrude cover
hope this helps
 

jtexas

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

de-rated 25 rope start. definately not the kill circuit.

can you trace the wires back to their starting point?
 

stonecobbler

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

So i emailed the guy who sold me the motor and he said that if those wires are not touching the motor will not run, so i'm guessing he put those in aftermarket.
Wayne
 

wbeaton

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

Did you ask what the wires were from/to?
 

jtexas

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

hmmmm.... a self-engineered solution.

Can you trace the wires back their starting point?
 

stonecobbler

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

here are some pix of the wiring,hope this helps me out,the last picture is the boat project,,,,,,boat and trailer $200 motor $500 6 year old son helping re-do of the inside,,,,,priceless!!!!!
 

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jtexas

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

it's a ground wire all right. looks like it's coming from the power pack. I thought I knew something about OMC wiring schemes of the 1980's, but I can't identify the purpose of that wire.

I can't believe you get to rebuild a boat with your son...I'm jealous...
 

stonecobbler

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

Are there any wrist band kill switches that work in the wire configuration i have or should i just do a toggle switch at the front,,,i prefer the wrist for safety,,any ideas wouldbe helpful
Thanks
Wayne
 

jtexas

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Re: kill switch wiring 1980 20hp evinrude

the aftermarket safety lanyards at Academy Sports, BPS, etc that I've seen, work the opposite of what you need...other words, they're all "open to run, closed to kill". I bet if you look around you can find a contrary one...
 
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