Outboard Ignition switch

[KAL]

Hi all,

My outboard(Yamaha 8) is started via a key on the steering console. It's a bit dicky and has been giving some trouble for a while. Yesterday it developed an inability to stop the engine so I've taken it off.

It has 6 wires in various states of corrosion. Do I need to replace it with a Yamaha switch, or will any generic 3-position (Off, run, start) ignition switch do the job? If this is the case, does anyone know which colour wire is which?

I'd appreciate advice from anyone who might know better than I.

Many thanks.

 

[monkfish24]

Hi all,

My outboard(Yamaha 8) is started via a key on the steering console. It's a bit dicky and has been giving some trouble for a while. Yesterday it developed an inability to stop the engine so I've taken it off.

It has 6 wires in various states of corrosion. Do I need to replace it with a Yamaha switch, or will any generic 3-position (Off, run, start) ignition switch do the job? If this is the case, does anyone know which colour wire is which?

I'd appreciate advice from anyone who might know better than I.

Many thanks.

Is the key switch attached to the throttle control and is the throttle control an OE part?

 

[VicS]

You may have to determine how the "off" function works. Whether it interrupts the ignition circuit or shorts it to ground.

A third party switch may be a universal type that can be wired to work either way or you may have to ensure you get a switch that does the right thing.

 

[KAL]

Is the key switch attached to the throttle control and is the throttle control an OE part?

Hi Monkfish,

Good to see you back on.

No, it's on the console, wired separately.

 

[KAL]

You may have to determine how the "off" function works. Whether it interrupts the ignition circuit or shorts it to ground.

A third party switch may be a universal type that can be wired to work either way or you may have to ensure you get a switch that does the right thing.

Thanks Vic. Not sure how I tell, either way. Just wanted to avoid having to buy a Yamaha OEM switch if at all possible.

 

[Lakesailor]

Get in there with your multi meter and work out which cable is carrying current when.
Then just wire up a new switch according to your new diagram.

 

[Barry Jones]

I'd be very surprised if it cannot be replaced with a generic switch.

Would need a photo or wiring diagram showing terminals on the back end.

 

[VicS]

Get in there with your multi meter and work out which cable is carrying current when.
Then just wire up a new switch according to your new diagram.

I dont think that one will have the necessary stop function.

Almost any off/run/start key switch would do if the OP was prepared to fit a separate stop button .... one with a safety lanyard might be quite a good idea anyway.

 

[Lakesailor]

My Johnson outboard remote had the key start and kill switch separate. That way you can have a kill cord just like on an outboard.

 

[KAL]

I dont think that one will have the necessary stop function.

Almost any off/run/start key switch would do if the OP was prepared to fit a separate stop button .... one with a safety lanyard might be quite a good idea anyway.

There is a kill switch on the console, to which a lanyard can be attached, hence the 6-wire original switch, I suppose.

 

[VicS]

There is a kill switch on the console, to which a lanyard can be attached, hence the 6-wire original switch, I suppose.

Hopefully you mean "to which a lanyard must be attached"

You can fit a simple key switch which does not stop the engine when turned to the stop position and use the stop button or the lanyard to stop it.