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Question; I have a 1990 Freedom 195 w/ a 4.3 V6 that was working just fine until this weekend I went to launch and the engine wouldn't fire. I went thru every possible troubleshooting. Battery is new and was putting out a full 12.6 volts. Starter was cranking and receiving 11.8 volts. Coil was putting out a very strong spark ( I took a nice shock from it) I pulled the cap and cleaned all the contacts to a nice shiny copper. I pulled each plug wire, they are all received spark.I changed the plugs earlier last week, gapped to spec and test fired in my driveway with an instant rumble. Had half a tank of gas, and sprayed very generous amounts of starter fluid into the carb. Still engine wouldn't fire?? I had never had a problem with it. So got to thinking, there is a black button above my ignition, is this the lanyard engine kill safety switch? I have never used it before and have never had anything attached to it. Did I depress that button by mistake and did it keep the engine from firing? If that is a possibility, what do I do to by pass it or "reset" it? Any info would be so appreciated! It sucked sitting at the marina for 3 hours of troubleshooting in the rain with my brother Labor Day weekend missing the salmon runs!!

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1990 Freedom 195 Cuddy Baby!

we have a 1997 horizon 200 and have a "black button" below our ignition key. It's actually a fuse/circuit breaker, not a button. Dunno if it would be the same for yours though.

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Doc
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1997 Horizon 200

Yes that is a fuse, I have a 95 220 Horizon. If your kill switch is pulled, you won't have anything. It won't turn over or spark. My kill switch is below the shifter/throttle. It is a small black plastic thing with a red string attached to it (lanyard).

Just a thought...timing off somehow?

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Shawn
Washington, Iowa
1995 Four Winns 220 Horizon

5.8 EFI 58FAPHUE

it is indeed the safety kill button as I saw the same symbol on another boats saftey switch. I was never given a lanyard, so how do I bypass this?

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1990 Freedom 195 Cuddy Baby!

you can not really get around it.

I would recommend buying a new lanyard. West Marine sells one for $12 that comes with 10 different attachments.

I replaced mine with one and it works great.



My brother accidently bumped the clip and the engine would crank, but no ignition fire, no guages, nothing but a cranking engine. The motor WILL CRANK on the older boats, but not start.

We coudlnt figure it out, only to find out he knocked the clip off center but was still attached, when he shut off the engine.


Try holding it in and see if the boat starts. Then replace the lanyard, best $12 fix you can find.


Hope this helps,

Rob

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

SAHHHHWEEET! Thanks for the advice everybody, I am going to play with it this weekend!

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1990 Freedom 195 Cuddy Baby!

My 1993 will crank but will not run if that lanyard is not in the right position. I found this out the hard way when I had bumped it and took just enough pressure off the button. I checked just about everything else before finding the problem.

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Steve K
1993 Four Winns 210 Horizon
5.8L EFI OMC

Considering how easy it is to get thrown out of a smaller boat you really do not want to be bypassing any safety measures. Yes, they might be inconvenient at times, but certainly less so that DEATH. If the switch is broken then replace it. And start using that lanyard.

Likewise, make sure other people on the boat know how to deal with the boat should you be unable to do so. Like from being tossed out. Make sure they know how to both kill the power when coming back around to get you and also re-start the engine should it stop. Like knowing about the neutral start position, etc.

It may sound silly but plenty of folks have died due to not following a few simple safety precautions.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

very solid advice!

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1990 Freedom 195 Cuddy Baby!

Also, buy a spare lanyard, so that the people in the boat can start the engine and come to get you when you're thrown out! ( it's surprising that boats don't come with a spare one, after all they come with 2 keys!)

Graham

Won't help much if you're boating solo, but still a great idea.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP