Kill cord failure on 5 month old Mariner 15 hp EFI outboard

[Hot Property]

The kill cord and stop button failed on my recently purchased Mariner outboard and Barrus UK arranged the replacement of the whole wiring loom via a local to me dealer. I understand from that dealer the issue related to the multi connector.

With the engines critical safety features disabled I thought worth sharing my experience.

Brunswick corporation who own the Mercury & Mariner brands have emailed, assuring me that action will be taken to inform all dealers of the issue I faced.

If you have or know someone has one of these engines it may be worth letting them know that a failure has occurred and that they should check the kill cord for correct operation before every outing.

 

[[2068]]

Oooh, that's a bit of a concern.
Everyone assumes that pulling a kill cord will stop an engine and prevent getting blended by a propellor.

 

[Hot Property]

That's what I thought...

The response from Brunswick was underwhelming corporate speak hence my post to alert others.

I discovered it failed after a 2 day outing. The stop switch had worked multiple times over that period but must have to given up just before I finished the trip.

I would assume a technical alert email would be issued in the first instance?

A repeat of the tragic Cornwall incident some years back wouldn't go down well...

 

[LBRodders]

Its a common problem with 'safety features' is that they are prone to dormant failures. Adding in a full set of prestart checks is the only way of reducing the effect. Problem is, many people in their eagerness to get afloat pull the cord and go!

Good spot and update

 

[Hot Property]

A dormant failure on a 5 month old engine was my primary concern though ....

 

[penberth3]

Its a common problem with 'safety features' is that they are prone to dormant failures. Adding in a full set of prestart checks is the only way of reducing the effect. Problem is, many people in their eagerness to get afloat pull the cord and go!

Good spot and update

No excuse for that.

BTW - what is "Plan B" if kill cord and stop button don't work?

 

[LBRodders]

No excuse for that.

BTW - what is "Plan B" if kill cord and stop button don't work?

Well people do, I have done it!

Neutral and cut the fuel? But if you are overboard, there wont be one! Start swimming - and quick!

 

[BruceK]

No excuse for that.

BTW - what is "Plan B" if kill cord and stop button don't work?

Pull the choke out

 

[Hot Property]

Pull the choke out

Not on an EFI engine though.

I just pulled the fuel line out and waited 5 minutes.

 

[BruceK]

That's not good