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Yamaha Lanyard, what does it disable?

Spooling

Jet Boat Junkie
Messages
150
Reaction score
83
Points
137
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2014
Boat Model
AR
Boat Length
19
I just winterized my AR190 this past weekend. I fogged the cylinders, replaced the plugs and turned it over a bit with the lanyard plug pulled to distribute the oil. To my surprise the engine fired up. I'm guessing the fogging oil acted like a fuel. Considering all of this I presume that pulling the lanyard cord must disable the injectors but the engine must obviously still produce a spark?
 
Wow, I thought it disabled spark... Very curious!!
 
The lanyard switch is probably the weakest link in these boats.

My first guess is lanyard switch probably stuck in open "up" position.

I had the oppisite problem. Mine has stuck in the "down" before. Broke the Yamaha style spacer right off, used the Honda style thicker spacer instead.
 
The lanyard only disables the ignition. You have a defective lanyard switch. I have the same issue going on now.
 
I just winterized my AR190 this past weekend. I fogged the cylinders, replaced the plugs and turned it over a bit with the lanyard plug pulled to distribute the oil. To my surprise the engine fired up. I'm guessing the fogging oil acted like a fuel. Considering all of this I presume that pulling the lanyard cord must disable the injectors but the engine must obviously still produce a spark?
Not an answer to your question but this is a good opportunity to suggest everyone testing the lanyard as part of their pre-launch checklist. I fire up the motors and pull the lanyard just before backing down the ramp. I’ve taught my kids if there were ever an emergency and the boat needed to stop to pull the lanyard.
 
Not an answer to your question but this is a good opportunity to suggest everyone testing the lanyard as part of their pre-launch checklist. I fire up the motors and pull the lanyard just before backing down the ramp. I’ve taught my kids if there were ever an emergency and the boat needed to stop to pull the lanyard.

Agreed. I usually "accidentally" test it every other time we go out (I yank the lanyard at the end of the day and forget to put it back on when launching the next time) but I'm adding this to my spring commissioning checklist.
 
Not an answer to your question but this is a good opportunity to suggest everyone testing the lanyard as part of their pre-launch checklist. I fire up the motors and pull the lanyard just before backing down the ramp. I’ve taught my kids if there were ever an emergency and the boat needed to stop to pull the lanyard.
Wouldn't it be easier/more natural to turn the key off? They see me using the key all the time plus it's more accessible.
 
Wouldn't it be easier/more natural to turn the key off? They see me using the key all the time plus it's more accessible.
I did the electric start mod so my keys (twin engine) are in the helm. They know to push the red button as an option too but I mostly focused on the lanyard. Either way should work.
 
So the way the lanyard works (at least to my recollection) is that it CLOSES a circuit to ground (neutral) preventing the spark plugs from firing.

If the engine runs w/o the lanyard and the switch is o.k. then you have a wire disconnected somewhere. The circuit can't close. I seem to recall a report of this back in 2010 or so on an '08 or '09 model.

Edit: Look for a loose connector back in the Starboard Aft quarter of the boat. (Not real familiar with the 2014's but I believe on the 07 - 09 boats it's under the round access panel in the engine compartment on the Starboard side.)

(I can't remember my Wife's birthday but I can remember obscure failures of my equipment. I must be a engineer in a manufacturing facility....)
 
I guess I'll have to check my wiring. I presume if it disables spark it must disable the injectors as well? Otherwise it would be way to easy to flood out the engine.
 
I guess I'll have to check my wiring. I presume if it disables spark it must disable the injectors as well? Otherwise it would be way to easy to flood out the engine.
It just (only) grounds the spark plugs. You will usually not crank the engine with the lanyard out, so no worries about flooding.

I clip it in when boating alone and doing anything that's pushing it. Literally saved my butt once (I was thrown off the seat).

@Foobar posted on a wireless variety, very nice.

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OK, next question. How can you crank the engine over to circulate fogging oil, without spraying fuel? On the Waverunners you hold the throttle wide open and crank. I wonder if the same holds true for the boats?

As far as my landyard switch goes, I leave it connected all the time. It definitely didn't break from overuse.
 
OK, next question. How can you crank the engine over to circulate fogging oil, without spraying fuel? On the Waverunners you hold the throttle wide open and crank. I wonder if the same holds true for the boats?

As far as my landyard switch goes, I leave it connected all the time. It definitely didn't break from overuse.
Just unplug the 4 injectors and crank.
Some fogging oil is flammable
 
I had this same thing happen on my 17 212x. I thought the fogging oil was causing a diesel effect or something.
 
I turned the switch off immediately when the motor fired, so I'm not sure if it was just running off of the oil or actually fully running.
 
Just wanted to update this thread. I've finally got my boat on the water again and I tested my lanyard switch. It appears to be working correctly. The motor quits as soon as it's pulled. So the fact that my engine fired up for an instant with the fogging oil, seems to indicate that the ignition system is still active when the lanyard is pulled. I presume pulling the lanyard is a fuel cut and not an ignition cut. I'm going to see if I can find a wiring diagram....
 
Just wanted to update this thread. I've finally got my boat on the water again and I tested my lanyard switch. It appears to be working correctly. The motor quits as soon as it's pulled. So the fact that my engine fired up for an instant with the fogging oil, seems to indicate that the ignition system is still active when the lanyard is pulled. I presume pulling the lanyard is a fuel cut and not an ignition cut. I'm going to see if I can find a wiring diagram....
I think the lanyard has two switches under it (for two engines) that ground spark plugs when the lanyard is removed - and those disable the ignition only so the starters will still turn (unlike the cleanout plug cover switches that disable the starters so nothig will move/turn).

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I think the lanyard has two switches under it (for two engines) that ground spark plugs when the lanyard is removed - and those disable the ignition only so the starters will still turn (unlike the cleanout plug cover switches that disable the starters so nothig will move/turn).

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Seems strange that the engines fired, if that is the case. Does anyone have a wiring diagram?
 
Seems strange that the engines fired, if that is the case. Does anyone have a wiring diagram?
I may or may not have a friend who may or may not have the 190 e_manual.
If he is able to find it he will send a PM.

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I just looked at the service manual which has a wiring diagram in the back. It's not really clear from it how the lanyard or rear deck kill switches are wired. It does look like the coils and injectors are controlled directly by the ECM, so it's probably going to be down to how the programming of the ECM works I'd imagine.
 
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