How to Disable a Kill Switch on a Marine Engine

Marine engines on boats and personal watercraft have kill switches that are built in as a safety feature. These switches are sometimes referred to as tethers because a rope or cord is attached to the switch and one end is worn by the operator. If the operator slips off of the craft the tether pulls the kill switch, which kills the engine. This prevents the craft from moving around without a driver and injuring people. The kill switch, though, can be disabled.

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Phillips screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open the engine compartment of the boat or personal watercraft. Remove the negative battery cable, marked with an "-" near the terminal or atop the battery, with an adjustable wrench.

    • 2

      Locate the wiring that runs from the back of the kill switch. There will be two wires -- a ground wire and a power wire.

    • 3

      Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the ground wire from its mounting area.

    • 4

      Use the screwdriver to remove the power wire from the ignition switch.

    • 5

      Reconnect the negative battery cable.