Kill Switch Lanyard

pspagna

Recruit
Joined
Oct 20, 2025
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3
I have a 1997 seaswirl 170 with a johnson 130 on it. While the boat is running if I pull the lanyard that is supposed to shut off the boat, it doesn't do anything and the boat keeps running. The lanyard does not even have to be connected to start the boat. Any ideas on how to start troubleshooting this? Thanks
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
52,146
first, welcome aboard.

being a johnson, going to assume 2-stroke.

the switch could just be bad. 2-stroke kill switches ground the stator to ground.

so disconnect the switch, and measure continuity both with and without the lanyard
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,779
In most cases the switch is on the rear face of the throttle control but may be on the helm
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,622
The Johnnyrudes of that era had a different kind of kill lanyard. When the lanyard is connected correctly, and you pull it, the button on the ign switch pops out and turns off the ign switch mechanically.

Look for the small button (say less than 1/4") in the center of the kill switch (provided it is original). That must be depressed before hooking the clip onto it. Look at the fourth picture on this:

 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
17,012
The Johnnyrudes of that era had a different kind of kill lanyard. When the lanyard is connected correctly, and you pull it, the button on the ign switch pops out and turns off the ign switch mechanically.

Look for the small button (say less than 1/4") in the center of the kill switch (provided it is original). That must be depressed before hooking the clip onto it. Look at the fourth picture on this:

Yep…my 97 has the same setup.
Don’t need the lanyard to start the boat
 
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