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Author Topic:   Broken Ignition Switch

Ian_H posted 08-14-2014 07:52 PM ET (US)
Last Sunday, I was rinsing our 2007 Montauk 170 off after a day on the lake and I noticed that the plastic ring on the outside of the ignition switch was broken into two pieces. At that time the key receptacle was still tight against the console. Now it has slipped back into the console 1/2 inch or more. I have several questions that I am hoping someone can answer for me.
- How does the outside plastic ring hold the key receptacle against the console?
- Is it possible to just replace the plastic ring or do I have to replace the whole switch?
- Is there an aftermarket ignition that I can use or should I stick with a Boston Whaler part?
- Is there anything I should know about replacing the ignition switch?
Thank you.
Ian
contender posted 08-16-2014 05:56 PM ET (US)
1st what engine do you have, usually the controls match the engine (switch) If it is an OMC the ring you are talking about screws on to hold the key switch in place and I think you can purchase the ring no problem. Its just plastic, you could of had a bad one no big deal, You can also try Boats.net for your parts, they carry a lot of parts and hard to find ones as well...good luckto you
jimh posted 08-16-2014 10:13 PM ET (US)
The ignition key switch is probably a Mercury part, not a Boston Whaler part.
You may be able to purchase just the plastic retainer that has broken. Look for a website that has a breakdown of Mercury parts. Maybe Mercury has one. I don't know the URL.
If you have to replace the switch, use a digital camera to take several images of the wiring, including a close up of the switch terminals. The images will give you a record of how it was wired originally. Follow that wiring with the replacement.
jimh posted 08-18-2014 10:28 AM ET (US)
Another option for support on a newer boat: call Boston Whaler customer service in Edgewater, Florida. For a boat built less than ten years ago, Boston Whaler customer support should be able to give you excellent help in locating a replacement part.
Powergroove803 posted 08-18-2014 04:13 PM ET (US)
I replaced an ignition switch on a Yamaha because I inhereited the motor without one. Im no boat electrician and really didnt know much about anything electrical and I was able to do it for around $25 and very little time. it also made me worry that anyone can steal a motor and a key is insignificant if you can just replace the ignition switch. Maybe its like that for all engines, I really do not know.
picflight posted 08-18-2014 07:14 PM ET (US)
Hi Ian,
I recently replaced the Nut on my ignition key switch. It is number 9 on the diagram below.
http://mercuryperformance.com/93543-nut-special-p-56833.html
jimh posted 08-19-2014 08:02 PM ET (US)

quote:
...made me worry that anyone can steal a motor and a key is insignificant if you can just replace the ignition switch
You can use two small jumpers to defeat the ignition key switch. (You also need to disconnect the magneto shorting lead.) There is no need to actually change the existing ignition key switch to start the engine without a key.
Ian_H posted 08-24-2014 10:14 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the help, the diagram of an ignition switch that you attached picflight allowed me to have an understanding of the parts involved. While slightly different than the ignition switch on the 2007 90hp Mercury that came with our 170 Montauk, it was similar enough allow me to take the switch apart and reassemble it. Apart from the broken plastic retainer, all it needed to do was to reattach the nut back on to the ignition assembly. Now all I have to do is follow jimh's advice and contact Boston Whaler to see if and where I can purchase a plastic retainer. While not 100% our boat is a lot more useable.
I just got back from a week on the lake. When I was away I did not want to play around with the switch too much incase I disabled the boat, so my wife had to hold the ignition from inside the console to allow me to insert the key. While doable this was a real pain in the a**.
Thanks again.
Ian
pcrussell50 posted 09-03-2014 01:39 AM ET (US)
Jim sez:

quote:
You can use two small jumpers to defeat the ignition key switch. (You also need to disconnect the magneto shorting lead.) There is no need to actually change the existing ignition key switch to start the engine without a key.
This ^^^
If I were the OP, I'd just find a new ring and replace it easy peasy. But if I have any more trouble than that from a boat ignition switch, I toss it and break out each switch function to individual, mil-spec toggles, with a waterproof boot over each. If theft concerns you, it's super easy to hide a critical one like the magneto "ungrounder" switch, or the crank switch, or just leave them unlabeled. That should be at least as much deterrence as a key in an otherwise easily defeated system.
Plus I love the solid positive feel of high quality switches.
-Peter

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Author	Topic: Broken Ignition Switch
Ian_H	posted 08-14-2014 07:52 PM ET (US) Last Sunday, I was rinsing our 2007 Montauk 170 off after a day on the lake and I noticed that the plastic ring on the outside of the ignition switch was broken into two pieces. At that time the key receptacle was still tight against the console. Now it has slipped back into the console 1/2 inch or more. I have several questions that I am hoping someone can answer for me. - How does the outside plastic ring hold the key receptacle against the console? - Is it possible to just replace the plastic ring or do I have to replace the whole switch? - Is there an aftermarket ignition that I can use or should I stick with a Boston Whaler part? - Is there anything I should know about replacing the ignition switch? Thank you. Ian
contender	posted 08-16-2014 05:56 PM ET (US) 1st what engine do you have, usually the controls match the engine (switch) If it is an OMC the ring you are talking about screws on to hold the key switch in place and I think you can purchase the ring no problem. Its just plastic, you could of had a bad one no big deal, You can also try Boats.net for your parts, they carry a lot of parts and hard to find ones as well...good luckto you
jimh	posted 08-16-2014 10:13 PM ET (US) The ignition key switch is probably a Mercury part, not a Boston Whaler part. You may be able to purchase just the plastic retainer that has broken. Look for a website that has a breakdown of Mercury parts. Maybe Mercury has one. I don't know the URL. If you have to replace the switch, use a digital camera to take several images of the wiring, including a close up of the switch terminals. The images will give you a record of how it was wired originally. Follow that wiring with the replacement.
jimh	posted 08-18-2014 10:28 AM ET (US) Another option for support on a newer boat: call Boston Whaler customer service in Edgewater, Florida. For a boat built less than ten years ago, Boston Whaler customer support should be able to give you excellent help in locating a replacement part.
Powergroove803	posted 08-18-2014 04:13 PM ET (US) I replaced an ignition switch on a Yamaha because I inhereited the motor without one. Im no boat electrician and really didnt know much about anything electrical and I was able to do it for around $25 and very little time. it also made me worry that anyone can steal a motor and a key is insignificant if you can just replace the ignition switch. Maybe its like that for all engines, I really do not know.
picflight	posted 08-18-2014 07:14 PM ET (US) Hi Ian, I recently replaced the Nut on my ignition key switch. It is number 9 on the diagram below. http://mercuryperformance.com/93543-nut-special-p-56833.html
jimh	posted 08-19-2014 08:02 PM ET (US) quote: ...made me worry that anyone can steal a motor and a key is insignificant if you can just replace the ignition switch You can use two small jumpers to defeat the ignition key switch. (You also need to disconnect the magneto shorting lead.) There is no need to actually change the existing ignition key switch to start the engine without a key.
Ian_H	posted 08-24-2014 10:14 PM ET (US) Thanks for the help, the diagram of an ignition switch that you attached picflight allowed me to have an understanding of the parts involved. While slightly different than the ignition switch on the 2007 90hp Mercury that came with our 170 Montauk, it was similar enough allow me to take the switch apart and reassemble it. Apart from the broken plastic retainer, all it needed to do was to reattach the nut back on to the ignition assembly. Now all I have to do is follow jimh's advice and contact Boston Whaler to see if and where I can purchase a plastic retainer. While not 100% our boat is a lot more useable. I just got back from a week on the lake. When I was away I did not want to play around with the switch too much incase I disabled the boat, so my wife had to hold the ignition from inside the console to allow me to insert the key. While doable this was a real pain in the a**. Thanks again. Ian
pcrussell50	posted 09-03-2014 01:39 AM ET (US) Jim sez: quote: You can use two small jumpers to defeat the ignition key switch. (You also need to disconnect the magneto shorting lead.) There is no need to actually change the existing ignition key switch to start the engine without a key. This ^^^ If I were the OP, I'd just find a new ring and replace it easy peasy. But if I have any more trouble than that from a boat ignition switch, I toss it and break out each switch function to individual, mil-spec toggles, with a waterproof boot over each. If theft concerns you, it's super easy to hide a critical one like the magneto "ungrounder" switch, or the crank switch, or just leave them unlabeled. That should be at least as much deterrence as a key in an otherwise easily defeated system. Plus I love the solid positive feel of high quality switches. -Peter