Valmar Kill Switch Wiring

[Chrisravosa36]

So, I went to autozon and picked up a marine kill switch for my big twin 69'. It does have the big red plug, electric start ignition. It's a four way terminal kill switch, with two of the points with the letter c next to each other, and two with the letter m next to them. The name of it is a valmar universal kill switch. I'm not sure on the wiring, looked it up and couldn't find much.... Any help would be great

 

[F_R]

What is that '69 40hp Big Twin motor doing with a big red plug?? Ok, except for that confusing the issue, look at your ignition switch. See the two terminals marked "M"? Connect those same two terminals to the "M" terminals on the kill switch (leaving the original wires connected also.

If you want to double check before installing, test for continuity between the two "M" terminals on your kill switch. Should have no continuity with lanyard attached, should have continuity with lanyard off.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

What is that '69 40hp Big Twin motor doing with a big red plug?? Ok, except for that confusing the issue, look at your ignition switch. See the two terminals marked "M"? Connect those same two terminals to the "M" terminals on the kill switch (leaving the original wires connected also.

If you want to double check before installing, test for continuity between the two "M" terminals on your kill switch. Should have no continuity with lanyard attached, should have continuity with lanyard off.

I don't quite understand.... I have the two wires coming from the big red plug, one is black, one is black and yellow, both marked with M next to them on the ignition terminal. I split both in half, and have the two parts coming from the ignition switch, then the two coming from the big red plug. I don't understand how I connect these to the ignition switch, which wires go where?

 

[Chrisravosa36]

Do you mean just add two more wires and connect the to both the letter m on the ignition and put both on the letter m on the kill?

 

[F_R]

Can I assume the ignition switch was working before you messed with it? Connect the two "M" terminals on the kill switch to the two "M" terminals on the ignition switch. Leave the present wires also connected to the ignition switch. I don't know how to say it any clearer. Yes, you obviously need some wire to go between the two switches. Electrically speaking, the two switches are wired in parallel.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

Can I assume the ignition switch was working before you messed with it? Connect the two "M" terminals on the kill switch to the two "M" terminals on the ignition switch. Leave the present wires also connected to the ignition switch. I don't know how to say it any clearer. Yes, you obviously need some wire to go between the two switches. Electrically speaking, the two switches are wired in parallel.

Fixed everything up. Did what you said and got nothing killing the engine, started fine. The reason why I put this switch in is because when I turn the key to turn it off, it doesn't work.... Could it be something with the key switches itself? Should I invest in a new one?

 

[F_R]

Aha! That goes back to my question in post #2. Why does that 1969 Big Twin have a big red plug? That is the wrong hookup. Not that it can't be made to work if you know a bit about electrical circuits.

Nevertheless, here is what is needed for the switches to kill the motor. If you look at the bottom of the mag plate under the flywheel, you will see two spark wires coming out and going to the spark plugs. You will also see two smaller black wires coming out. Those two small wires are the kill wires. One of them needs to go forward to your ignition switch's "M" terminal. The second small wire first goes to the center of the vacuum cut-out switch, then from there also goes forward to the other "M' terminal on the ignition switch. I don't care what color the plug or wires are, just so there are two wires getting there as I described. If it is wired that way, the ignition switch will kill the motor.

Then of course, if you also want your new kill switch to work, wire it according to how I already told you.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

Aha! That goes back to my question in post #2. Why does that 1969 Big Twin have a big red plug? That is the wrong hookup. Not that it can't be made to work if you know a bit about electrical circuits.



Nevertheless, here is what is needed for the switches to kill the motor. If you look at the bottom of the mag plate under the flywheel, you will see two spark wires coming out and going to the spark plugs. You will also see two smaller black wires coming out. Those two small wires are the kill wires. One of them needs to go forward to your ignition switch's "M" terminal. The second small wire first goes to the center of the vacuum cut-out switch, then from there also goes forward to the other "M' terminal on the ignition switch. I don't care what color the plug or wires are, just so there are two wires getting there as I described. If it is wired that way, the ignition switch will kill the motor

Then of course, if you also want your new kill switch to work, wire it according to how I already told you.

Thanks, il try that out right now, took out a spark plug and ended up taking the whole insert out, so need to get another r before I can test.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

Aha! That goes back to my question in post #2. Why does that 1969 Big Twin have a big red plug? That is the wrong hookup. Not that it can't be made to work if you know a bit about electrical circuits.

Nevertheless, here is what is needed for the switches to kill the motor. If you look at the bottom of the mag plate under the flywheel, you will see two spark wires coming out and going to the spark plugs. You will also see two smaller black wires coming out. Those two small wires are the kill wires. One of them needs to go forward to your ignition switch's "M" terminal. The second small wire first goes to the center of the vacuum cut-out switch, then from there also goes forward to the other "M' terminal on the ignition switch. I don't care what color the plug or wires are, just so there are two wires getting there as I described. If it is wired that way, the ignition switch will kill the motor.

Then of course, if you also want your new kill switch to work, wire it according to how I already told you.

I think I found the two wires, they are both wrapped together, and they separate at the cutout switch right? They are the only wires I see coming from under the flywheel. Should I split them before, or after the cutout switch? Also when I split them should I attatch then back to the wiring leading to the harness, or is this not nessary. Also sorry, I'm not much of an electron at all....

 

[F_R]

Attach your kill switch wire to the nut in the center of the vacuum switch. Leave the other wire on it also.

 

[F_R]

No Title

Here is a wiring diagram, not the exact one for your motor. But the circuits you are interested in are the same. (Colors might be different than what's in your boat) Ignore all the stuff that do not apply. See how the "M" terminals get to the magneto? That's all you need to do. Don't try to make it complicated and you will be fine.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

Here is a wiring diagram, not the exact one for your motor. But the circuits you are interested in are the same. (Colors might be different than what's in your boat) Ignore all the stuff that do not apply. See how the "M" terminals get to the magneto? That's all you need to do. Don't try to make it complicated and you will be fine.

Ok..... I did all that you asked, I took the old wire off the center ring, put a new one in and ran it to the M, took the second wire, spliced it and ran it to the other M. the old wiring remined cut off on the key switch, and on the motors end, two black wires. I got no ignition with this. I pulled apart the motor cable and found a lot of the wiring was bad, so I'm getting new wires and connectors and am going to rebuild the wiring to the solenoid, cutout switch and temp sensor. I also found a gray wire (tach lead?) with a ring terminal at the end, where sould that go? I'm thinking that the wire I used is to small for the key switch, it is the same wiring used in trailer light kits, maybe like 22 gauge over 10ft? Thank you.

 

[F_R]

Grey wire is not used unless you have a tachometer. If memory serves me correctly the grey is actually a tachometer ground on that model (takes a magneto tach).

Some of those wires might have been 18 ga, some larger. Personally, I use nothing less that 16 ga, not necessarily because it needs it but because it is stronger. That skinny stuff is too fragile. Electrically, you cannot get it too thick, but your can get it too thin.

 

[Chrisravosa36]

Grey wire is not used unless you have a tachometer. If memory serves me correctly the grey is actually a tachometer ground on that model (takes a magneto tach).

Some of those wires might have been 18 ga, some larger. Personally, I use nothing less that 16 ga, not necessarily because it needs it but because it is stronger. That skinny stuff is too fragile. Electrically, you cannot get it too thick, but your can get it too thin.

Ive got bigger problems than I thought electrically, im going to make a new fourm post, alsot of the wires were bare under the cover, and rotted out, needing to be replaced....Im not sure HOW it worked before!!!!