Dead Kill switch??

[Flatwater]

My 25hp Yamaha would not cut off, I pushed the red kill button and nothing. so I pulled the safety gizmo, nothing. So every time I needed to stop I had to pull the gas line out and run er out of gas. ??? Can a Kill switch die?

[Fishtaco]

Yes it can. I would check the connections under the cowling and look for loose wires.

[Barnacle Bill]

There is a black wire that comes from the CDI to the kill switch then to the cut off button. The motor is shut off by grounding that wire. Connect an ohm meter to the black wire on the CDI and ground. When you activate the kill switch or push the kill button you should see a direct ground. If you don't there is a problem with that wire. If you do then the CDI is bad.

[Memfuzz]

I just had to replace one on my 2006 25 Yamaha last week. When you see the breakdown on the parts you think you need to order the red cap also, don't. The new switch has the cap already installed, and comes with a new kill cord also. I got mine online for $ 51 and change, they are over 60 at a dealer, and then they will probably had to order it anyway. Mine did the exact same thing, when you push in it wouldn't move.

[tommyboyrn]

Are you supposed to be able to push the red button the kill the engine without pulling the black pice on saftey lanyard?

[Barnacle Bill]

Are you supposed to be able to push the red button the kill the engine without pulling the black pice on saftey lanyard?

Yes

[Memfuzz]

I just reread the original post and he says it won't die by pulling the kill lanyard off of it. Wow! Leads me to ask, when you do pull that, does the switch snap down?

[tommyboyrn]

thanks for the info IBNFSHN. I just had the motor tuned up back in winter and they said it was bad and replaced it but havent checked it since. I use lanyard and "assunmed" everything was correct. will make sure tomorrow.
thanks

[Flatwater]

To cut the motor off at idle I always just push the red button that the lanyard is cliped to. I never pull the lanyard off. I did find the problem, the back of the button screws on and it is plastic, about the diameter of a quarter. I screwed it back on and duck taped it to prevent it from unscrewing. It worked fine today. The wind blew me off the water as it got right rough.

[boatman44]

glad you figured it out without spending money