KIll switch - how does it work?

[mattsmall1972]

I have a 1982 35hp Evinrude that wasn't getting any spark. In the troubleshooting process, I'd disconnected the kill switch circuit to the powerpack, but that didn't fix it. I later I found that I had a bad powerpack.

However, since replacing the powerpack, it seems that my kill switch circuit is also bad. If I remove the black wire pin from my powerpack plug, the engine fires right up. When I plug it in, the engine will not start. I can also remove the remote start harness for the same effect, so the problem is definitely somewhere in the wiring from the harness up into my console.

My question is, does the kill switch, with the lanyard attached (engine can run, normal operation), have an open circuit? Then when the lanyard is taken off (as if I'd fallen out of the boat), it provides ground to the powerpack, causing it to stop? I think this is the right answer, but I want to be sure while testing out what's wrong up front. It might be as simple as a short in the switch, that's what I'm hoping.

Thanks.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: KIll switch - how does it work?

...

My question is, does the kill switch, with the lanyard attached (engine can run, normal operation), have an open circuit? Then when the lanyard is taken off (as if I'd fallen out of the boat), it provides ground to the powerpack, causing it to stop? I think this is the right answer, but I want to be sure while testing out what's wrong up front. It might be as simple as a short in the switch, that's what I'm hoping.

Thanks.

Thanks correct, the switch is normally open. When you fall overboard, the switch closes and grounds the pp, killing the motor.