broken key

[sbleeke]

My ignition switch key broke and I had already made replacements for the key but the replacements don't work. I'm thinking I need to replace the switch now. Any thoughts? My brother is coming this weekend and wants to sail. I am totally frustrated.

Thanks.

[amayotte]

An ignition is simply a switch.
If you seperate your control box there will be an ignition box within there. Your ignition box will have probably 6 to 8 wires connected to them.
The wires will be on a round plate and are designed to touch each other at certain stages. one will also be a choke wire probably.
There will be starting wires and then there will be wires that must stay in contact to keep the motor running.
It's simply a matter of visualizing which wires would touch if you were turing your key and then you can hot wire your motor.

If you play with it, it becomes easy quickly. You should have no problem

There is a quick blurb on this forum
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=279633

Hope that helps.

[Chrysler20%26]

Bring the replacment back to the key shop, an buff it up. ( but a little were on it ) If that does not work, use a felt pen an paint the key. Now but it in the lock an work the key back an forth. Remove the key an look for marks on the paint, if you see marks, lightly file them an keep trying the key. ( I have made keys that way )

[tgentry]

Another alternative is to take the control box, or just the ignition box if it's easier, to a locksmith. He can make a key to fit it.

Many locksmiths even make house calls if you don't want to remove it.

[sbleeke]

Thanks for all the input, I will try some of this and let you know how it goes.

[sbleeke]

Did the wd40 in the lock and took some sandpaper to the replacement keys that I had made. The guy at the marine store gave me what should have been the factory replacements for the key I had. There were 12 of them but only one of them even fit the keyway. But after shoving it in my sanded key started working. Thanks again for the advise.