Johnson Kill switch

[rammerjammer05]

I'm in the process of installing a kill switch on my boat. It's a 1988 Johnson 175hp since it currently doesn't have one. I understand that one wire from the kill switch goes to the black(ground) wire from the wire harness. The other wire from kill switch goes to the black/yellow wire from the wire harness. My problem is the screw heads on the back of my control box were stripped out from the previous owner so I can't access the wire harness were it terminates on the key switch.. My question is can I just splice my wires from the kill switch into the wiring harness before it goes into my control box. I have plenty of slack to be able to pull some slack from the wire so I can access it and be able to seal everything back up.

 

[tphoyt]

I don’t see why not unless there is a problem with the currant key switch.
If there is your problem will still be there.
If your just adding a lanyard you should be ok. A better solution would be to remove your stripped out screws so you have access to your control box. It is a PITA job but you will have access when you need it.

 

[rammerjammer05]

No problem with my current switch. Just trying to get a kill switch added so I can use the boat. Font fell safe running without one. Thanks.

 

[F_R]

Sure, you can do it that way. Kind of a shade tree way of doing it, but it will work. Make sure you seal those splices well to keep water out.

 

[flyingscott]

The screws should be relatively easy to remove. If you want to get the heads off of the screws just drill them. Use a slightly larger than 1/4" drill bit and drill the heads off. Then when you split the box there should be a nub sticking out you can grab with a vise grisp.