How to stop Key falling out of outboard control box ignition

[KAL]

I have a Yam outboard with a control console, from which the ignition key has taken to falling when under way.

Anyone had that problem and if so, how do you go about solving it?

 

[William_H]

I presume that the control box has some slope on it such that gravity will help the key slide out. I imagine that the engine continues to run with the key out. I presume that you have removed any sundry extra keys on the ring. One thought might hbe a piece of thin bungee on a loop on the key which could be hooked over a protruding screw in a suitable place pulling the key into the hole. good luck olewill

 

[KAL]

Thanks Will. No, the box is mounted so that the key is horizontal, although I drive a RIB each Friday where the box is almost vertically mounted, but it's newer, so the key stays in.

I presume there must be some sort of spring mechanism inside the ignition switch which should hold the key in, but maybe it has stopped functioning...

The engine does run even if the key falls out, so it's more of an annoyance than anything. I might try a squirt of WD40 into the keyhole and see if that makes any difference.

Any other ideas gratefully received.

 

[macd]

Why not just put they key in your pocket, where it's nice and safe? Saves accidentally leaving the key in when you park the boat. Or clip it to something with a lanyard?
I'd imagine WD40 would help it fall out quicker.

 

[prv]

Cheap crappy lock mechanisms. Same thing happened to Kindred Spirit's Yanmar engine panel, with the additional risk that if you had the engine compartment open then the bunch of keys would fall into the alternator belt pulleys (fortunately only ever happened (twice) with the engine stopped). When my dad once started the engine with his garden shed key and hadn't even noticed that anything was amiss, I realised that the lock was completely pointless and replaced it with a simple switch.

Pete

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a Yam outboard with a control console, from which the ignition key has taken to falling when under way.

Anyone had that problem and if so, how do you go about solving it?

I just checked on my Yam control box and the key will only come out in the off position. In the on position the key is locked into the switch.

IMHO it looks like the key has warn to an extent that it will just fall out.

Mine is a 701 type Yam control box