How does the killswitch work on a cdi ignition? ?

guy48065

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 31, 2008
Messages
568
"In an emergency situation, the engine can be started without the clip in place. Follow normal starting procedure. Reinstall clip as soon as possible"

My 2000 Johnson 40hp (J40PLSSM) will start & run whether the lanyard is attached or not, and according to the manual that's normal. So how DOES the kill circuit work?

Will the o/b run exactly the same with/without the lanyard?

I just bought this boat and the PO ran it all the time with the clip dangling. Said it didn't work. I attached it my first time out on the lake but it seemed to run rough after warmup, so I've been running it without the clip ever since and it seems fine.
.
Apparently killswitches don't work the same as they used to...
 

daselbee

Commander
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Messages
2,765
Put clip in place. Turn key to ON position. Pull clip out. Notice the key physically turns to the off position. That's how it works.
At least that is how it works on my binnacle control.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,768
Apparently kill switches don't work the same as they used to...

They all should kill the motor, if they don't then it has been bypassed by someone.

If yours is a 2 stroke, in most cases the kill switch grounds the magneto, same as turning the key off
 

guy48065

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 31, 2008
Messages
568
It will be a couple weeks before I return to my cottage & boat but I'm looking forward to trying that clip and see if all it actually does is rotate the key.

Amazing.

:)
 
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