MacGregorSailors.com

Kill switch (or dead man switch)(?)

Be cautious taking the switch out. My switch went bad, so I ordered a new one. Seemed a piece of cake to replace it. Taking the remote box apart was easy--replacing the switch was easy--trying to fit it all back together was a MESS for me.

Of course, my motor parts book only showed the remote box as an assembly--no pics of how it went together. Having to have the throttle linkage, shift linkage, and separate neutral throttle linkage all in the right spot was nearly impossible for us. We spent close to six hours putting it together and taking it apart. Even had a dealer repair crew (two guys) out to try to put it back together. Took them several hours as well.

When they got it all back together, motor wouldn't start, so they took it apart again. Turns out one of us managed to break the neutral lock microswitch case, so even though the motor was in neutral, with the broken switch, it wouldn't start.

Took the dealer 8 wks to order the part from Japan and then it turned out to be the wrong switch. I'd finally begged the dealer to just bypass the switch for now so I could use the boat. But the morning they were going to do that, he went to another model dealer, and found a microswitch in their junk electric drawer.

I learned my lesson--I'll never take one of those remotes apart again.......................

Ron

No, not the kill switch. There is a little flat thing that inserts, like a spacer. If you pull it out, the kill switch is then activated. What is that spacer thing called ( other than spacer thingy)?

For my Honda, there is a place for a spare one to be kept.

Ray

captronr wrote:Be cautious taking the switch out. My switch went bad, so I ordered a new one. Seemed a piece of cake to replace it. Taking the remote box apart was easy--replacing the switch was easy--trying to fit it all back together was a MESS for me.

Of course, my motor parts book only showed the remote box as an assembly--no pics of how it went together. Having to have the throttle linkage, shift linkage, and separate neutral throttle linkage all in the right spot was nearly impossible for us. We spent close to six hours putting it together and taking it apart. Even had a dealer repair crew (two guys) out to try to put it back together. Took them several hours as well.

When they got it all back together, motor wouldn't start, so they took it apart again. Turns out one of us managed to break the neutral lock microswitch case, so even though the motor was in neutral, with the broken switch, it wouldn't start.

Took the dealer 8 wks to order the part from Japan and then it turned out to be the wrong switch. I'd finally begged the dealer to just bypass the switch for now so I could use the boat. But the morning they were going to do that, he went to another model dealer, and found a microswitch in their junk electric drawer.

I learned my lesson--I'll never take one of those remotes apart again.......................

Ron

I had a similar experience when I took mine apart to replace cables. Once back together, the over temp alarm would not work. Another disassembly and some detective work finding a loose bullet connector got it back working. But honestly, it is a real chore to stuff everything back into that remote.

paul I wrote:

captronr wrote:Be cautious taking the switch out. My switch went bad, so I ordered a new one. Seemed a piece of cake to replace it. Taking the remote box apart was easy--replacing the switch was easy--trying to fit it all back together was a MESS for me.
<snip>
I learned my lesson--I'll never take one of those remotes apart again.......................

I had a similar experience when I took mine apart to replace cables. Once back together, the over temp alarm would not work. Another disassembly and some detective work finding a loose bullet connector got it back working. But honestly, it is a real chore to stuff everything back into that remote.

I didn't find it hard at all. But I was very careful NOT to disturb anything other than the cables. I even reversed the handle location to the other side, so the tilt/trim button was under my thumb rather than on the outside. The takeaway being, don't disturb anything you don't absolutely have to disturb.

Oh, and take photos of the guts, from many angles, and close up. Lotta fussy little things in there that have to remain in, or go back to, their intended location.

Lots of good ideas here.

I had no idea that O/B keys and ignitions are much less secure than for autos.

Yup, for Merc outboards there are like six (6) different codes for the key. Find out what yours is, write it down, and go to the dealer (or ebay). I have like eight sets of my key.

DaveC426913 wrote:Lots of good ideas here.

I had no idea that O/B keys and ignitions are much less secure than for autos.

A friend suggested that, if I don't manage to just get a new key, it's not a big deal to pop the whole cylinder out and replace it with a new one.

Well, my new key(s) re not gonig to make it by the long weekend.

It's been two weeks I've been dry.

Do I dare go out without a working motor?

Do I need to link to my 'bent prop' thread to remember why I avoid exiting and entering the lagoon under sail only?

Plan C - go out with someone else.

DaveC426913 wrote:Well, my new key(s) re not gonig to make it by the long weekend.

It's been two weeks I've been dry.

Do I dare go out without a working motor?

Do I need to link to my 'bent prop' thread to remember why I avoid exiting and entering the lagoon under sail only?

DaveC426913 wrote:Well, my new key(s) re not gonig to make it by the long weekend.

It's been two weeks I've been dry.

Do I dare go out without a working motor?

Do I need to link to my 'bent prop' thread to remember why I avoid exiting and entering the lagoon under sail only?

Dave: what brand outboard is it? I do keep a spare Honda key, and I'm just over the border near Niagara Falls NY. Id be willing to loan it to you. I'd hate to see you shut out of sailing on the spectacular weekend that's coming up in this area.

paul I wrote:Dave: what brand outboard is it? I do keep a spare Honda key, and I'm just over the border near Niagara Falls NY. Id be willing to loan it to you. I'd hate to see you shut out of sailing on the spectacular weekend that's coming up in this area.

I was thinking the same thing. No way I'd let a little thing like a missing key keep me off the water this weekend. Hot wire the bloody thing and rope start it, if necessary, though if you can hot wire the ignition, you can also jump the start terminal to hot to run the starter motor.

Tomfoolery wrote:

paul I wrote:Dave: what brand outboard is it? I do keep a spare Honda key, and I'm just over the border near Niagara Falls NY. Id be willing to loan it to you. I'd hate to see you shut out of sailing on the spectacular weekend that's coming up in this area.

I was thinking the same thing. No way I'd let a little thing like a missing key keep me off the water this weekend. Hot wire the bloody thing and rope start it, if necessary, though if you can hot wire the ignition, you can also jump the start terminal to hot to run the starter motor.

I'm not sure my mechanics-fu is powerful enough to do any of those things.

That's unfortunate. What OB do you have? There are a more than a few Mac sailors in the Toronto area. Perhaps someone there can loan you a key. Worth a shot at least. Supposed to have perfect weather this weekend.

Tomfoolery wrote:That's unfortunate. What OB do you have? There are a more than a few Mac sailers in the Toronto area. Perhaps someone there can loan you a key. Worth a shot at least. Supposed to have perfect weather this weekend.

Yes, Like I said, I'm only 90 mins away, and I can set you up with a Honda key that you can return via mail delivery if it will help.