Here is the situation, while heading out to go catch some gills on poppers, I lost power to the clutch.

I then tried to shut down the motor with the key switch with no results.

Then I pulled the safety kill and once again no results.

So then I pulled the plug wires and ding ding it killed

I then turned the ignition switch back on (without starting motor)and engaged the clutch and ta da it engaged.

So then I tried the momentary and it worked also.

Now mind you this is with the engine not running, but key switch turned on and the safety lanyard pulled.

I then hook up safety lanyard and guess what? The clutch function is now not working.

So I assume it's the safety kill and bypass it.

I then start the motor and engage the clutch and it kills the spark.

So basically with the safety switch eliminated, I can run the motor, but not kill it with the key switch and if I do engage the clutch it kills the ignition.

I then put the trolling motor down and take a nice leisurely cruise back to the launch.

I am assuming the ignition switch is bad.


Has anyone else had a similar problem and what was the cure?

Any info would be helpful.

Yes, I had the exact same symptoms. It was a short at the clutch. It ended up melting my wiring harness.

Found the problem. It was in the flat connector of the main harness, on of the terminals had corroded and wasn't fully seated.

wish that was what happened to mine

Short at the clutch, my wiring harness fried.