87 8HP strange electical problem what am I missing?

[AEROCOOK]

I just bought this 87 8hp Johnson (CJ8RCUD) and the first time I ran it I discovered that it wouldn't turn off even with the lanyard clip removed.
I did some testing and found that one of the 2 wires coming from the switch (the one that grounds to the block) had no contact at the eye connector so it wasnt grounding. I took a closer look and determined that that the connector wasn't original and who ever installed it didnt strip the coating off the wire so that explained the lack of ground. I thought that was that and proceeded to fix it but when I was done I had no spark, even with the lanyard clip on. At this point I tested the lanyard switch again and found it to be working. I then removed the wire that grounds to the block (the one I just fixed) and my spark returned. This is what has me baffled, with the lanyard clip on, that wire doesnt make contact with anything, its just a piece of wire that makes no contact until the clip is removed so what difference does it make if its attached to the block? Im stumped, am I missing somthing?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 87 8HP strange electical problem what am I missing?

The lanyard is attached to a "kill switch".
When grounded (clip off) = no spark.
When not grounded (clip on) = spark.

Sounds like the kill switch is shorted closed.

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: 87 8HP strange electical problem what am I missing?

The lanyard is attached to a "kill switch".
When grounded (clip off) = no spark.
When not grounded (clip on) = spark.

Sounds like the kill switch is shorted closed.

I completely agree but I've tested the switch and it's working. I even checked the wires on both sides of the switch to see if either of them was shorted to ground and they were not.
I do have a factory manual and according to it I should be able to turn the motor off (with the lanyard clip still attached) by pressing in on the kill switch and holding till the motor is off but there is no movement with mine, it doesn't push in. I'm wondering if it's jammed in the depressed position?
Im going to the garage right now to check that.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 87 8HP strange electical problem what am I missing?

you didnt listen to what joe said - the part where the lanyard hooks to is ANOTHER kill switch and IT is now shorted to ground since youve hooked it up properly

replace that lanyard switch and your problem will go away

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: 87 8HP strange electical problem what am I missing?

I checked again, this time with my meter set to high ohms and I found that the switch is buggered.
There isnt "ANOTHER" kill switch, it's all 1 switch, just 2 ways to activate it kind of.