Kill switch basics..

[BobList]

Hey guys, took my *new to me* boat out for the first time yesterday, 17' '88Cajun Espirit, 125 Force on the back. Puttered a bit, made sure everything works ok, engine fires up every time, all that. I was just puttering along, and yanked the kill switch to test it. It stayed running, and I poked and turned the button ( which DID snap into the kill position), stayed running. What exactly does it do?.. ground out ignition?...cut power to engine? Is it normally open, or closed circuit? Maybe just a dirty contact?..

Thanks, Bob

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Kill switch basics..

99% of them ground out the ignition, basically the same as turning the key off. So its normally open. (anything with an EFI system might be different, not in your case though)

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Kill switch basics..

Willing to bet you simply lost the ground to it. Check it with a test light or a jumper wire. If the kill switch itself went bad, replace it.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Kill switch basics..

Pull the switch and make sure it's hooked up. I ran my boat for a year before discovering that all the wires between the kill switch and ignition switch... were gone!

:redface:

 

[bobdec]

Re: Kill switch basics..

What exactly does it do?.. ground out ignition?...cut power to engine? Is it normally open, or closed circuit?

As stated above it when activated it sends a ground signal to the ignition switch box, module or similar control system at the engine (kills spark). It normally does not cut power to the engine, engine will crank but not start. The switch is a normally opened (run position) with ground to common terminal of switch and n/o contact wired to the engine ignition controls.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Kill switch basics..

As stated above it when activated it sends a ground signal to the ignition switch box, module or similar control system at the engine (kills spark). It normally does not cut power to the engine, engine will crank but not start. The switch is a normally opened (run position) with ground to common terminal of switch and n/o contact wired to the engine ignition controls.[/QUOTE

Depends on how the switch is wired as to whether it cuts power to the engine or not.

The kill switch on my 2007 Suzuki's cuts the power to the engines, no cranking at all, but the buzzers buzz, and the indicator lights light, just no cranking. Really disconcerting the 1st time it happens.

I can see where the lack of cranking ability would be a safety feature as it would keep all power from the engine, no chance of an accident, and could even be used as an anti-theft feature.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Kill switch basics..

Depends on how the switch is wired as to whether it cuts power to the engine or not.

The kill switch on my 2007 Suzuki's cuts the power to the engines, no cranking at all, but the buzzers buzz, and the indicator lights light, just no cranking. Really disconcerting the 1st time it happens.
[/QUOTE]


That is by far the BEST method to do, almost all PWC safety lanyards use this type of system. outboard manufacturers have generally taken the cheap route though. I personally like killing all power to the engine, if you have ever had to diagnose a kill switch that has grounded itself out, it is NOT fun. If it kills all power, it is much easier to figure that one out.