Installing a kill switch

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cloudman

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Mar 27, 2008
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Hello, I have a 1969 merc 40 4HP, I believe it does not have a kill switch, how would I have I can, put a kill switch on it, and were could I get one if I can, and what type
 
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Laddies

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Re: Installing a kill switch

It depends some 4.5 have the points wired for a kill switch if thats the case there is a plastic block on the port side of the powerhead and a wire runing up under the flywheel those are easy you just go to a autoparts store and get a pushbutton switch that is short enough to fit inside the bottom cowl, drill a hole in the cowl install the switch and run a wire to the insulated terminal and the other wire to one of the screws for ground and your done. However if there is no terminal box you will have to remove the flywheel and run a wire to the point stud.
 
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cloudman

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Mar 27, 2008
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Re: Installing a kill switch

Ok, is there somewhere that will give detail instructions on how to do this, I have a friend that has the tool to remove the flywheel but I don't think he knows about installing a kill switch, the motor is at my friends house, also is there any place on the net that could tell me more about my motor and if it has wiring for the switch, I hope it does, because I know nothing about boat motors other than replacing water pump and carb rebuild. Thankyou
 
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thefairlaneman

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Sep 5, 2007
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1,790
Re: Installing a kill switch

The basic thing the kill switch does is ground the coil. As soon as you ground it the spark will stop and the engine will cut off. Connect a wire good and secure to the wire coming out of the coil and connect it to a on/off toggle switch wired to ground. Note dont connect to the high voltage side of the coil.
 
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cloudman

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Mar 27, 2008
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Re: Installing a kill switch

Thanks everybody It seems easy enough, but I really wish there was a step by step on doing this, I really don't know anything about coils and stuff. but thankyou for all your help!!!!
 
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outboardnut

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Oct 27, 2006
Messages
323
Re: Installing a kill switch

I would advise to pick a toggle that has a rubber cover on it so you don't have to touch metal.
I was SHOCKED pretty bad once by a metal kill switch once......
 
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outboardnut

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Oct 27, 2006
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323
Re: Installing a kill switch

Also,
some of your smaller motors didn't have kill switches and do not need them. I've seen motors that were set up for "choke to stop" and where you just turn the throttle backwards till it stops
 
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cloudman

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Mar 27, 2008
Messages
8
Re: Installing a kill switch

my mercury is set up to use the choke but it takes about a min to flood it to where it stops, I hope that it has the wire harness already so I don't have to take off flywheel.
 
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