I purchased a 1994 deck boat with a 200 Johnson Venom on Monday. I started the engine on the water hose at the owners house. Then we took it to a marine mechanic and had him to check it out and run a compression test on it. Everything was good and he ran it on the hose also. I drove home 4 hours, then this afternoon I took it to the lake to test it out with the family before a fishing trip to Tawakoni this weekend. When I tried to start it, it wouldn't start, never even tried. After several minutes I went to town and bought a can of starting fluid, and put some gas in it, just to be sure. I went back to the lake and it still won't start, even with starting fluid sprayed into each carburetor. I pulled 2 different plug wires, stuck a screwdriver in each wire and held the screwdriver about 1/8" from the plug while my wife tried to start turn it over. I could not see a spark in the bright sunlight. I can only assume it is a bad kill switch, or a short in it. How do I bypass the kill switch? Any other suggestions?

Sounds like a blown main power fuse to your ECM/ ignition, it's under the engine cowling. Look for the fuse holders, if you're lucky there will be a spare fuse in the holder next to it.

I would not unhook or disable the kill switch it has saved many lives and might be yours next time. Make sure your kill switch lanyard clip is attached to the black button/ kill switch on the shift/throttle box first or it will never start.

Thanks for the reply. I will look for the fuse. Disconnecting the kill switch would only be a temporary fix to get it running. I will replace the kill switch if that it the problem. Where do I bypass the kill switch on the engine, if it's not a blown fuse?

I've always used WD-40 for a starting fluid because it is combustible and lubricates, where starting fluid doesn't. Is this accurate? I wanted to try starting fluid to make absolutely sure I had "fuel" to the engine and eliminate that possibility. Since I had "fuel", the issue must be the engine isn't firing.

mix some gas and oil in a spray bottle and squirt in the carbs rather than use starting fluid and WD40.

It's a Venom not a Fitch. It does not have a fuze to activate the firing system. It is the standard ignition system that most likely failed due to the ignition box going dead. You can however disconnect the emergency switch by simply unplugging it, in most johnson control boxes. However, some Johnsons use an emergency kill switch that is built onto the key switch. That style cannot be disconnected.

Quote(emergency kill switch that is built onto the key switch). Have had this 2 times lately with owners. They did`nt see a place to put the kill switch.

The kill switch is connected, I've got a couple of things to try after work tonight. Hopefully it won't be going in the shop before I even get to use it for the first time.

Well, the issue remains a mystery. I hooked it to the water hose this afternoon, turned the key and it fired right up, I did nothing to it, so I am sure this will happen again. I just hope I am not in the middle of the lake with my family when it does. I restarted it numerous times, then took it to the local lake and ran it for about 30 minutes, restarting it several times. Every time it started as soon as I touched the key.

Does a power pack do this when it is about ready to go out? What could the issue be, and is there anything I could do to make it back to the ramp if/when it happens again?

How good is your battery? Just an idea to look at. My last battery would turn my motor over but didn't have the juice to start it

Check corrosion of the battery terminals for good connections. Scrape them with a knife. Also check the wires that go into the starter cylanoid to make sure they have wiggled loose due to use. It is a simple tightening up.

The battery appears to be in great shape. I cranked on it a total of about 15 minutes the first time it wouldn't crank and it never even slowed down. I expected to battery to die at any time, but it never did.

Well, 9 months later and it would not start this past weekend. The boat was used all summer, I ran ONLY ethanol free gas in it with StaBil marine fuel stabilizer added at every refueling. I got the boat out for the first time in about 6 months and it would not start. I pulled the cover off the carburetors and sprayed a mix of fuel and oil in each one. It never would start. There was twice that it fired a tiny bit, but not enough to even call it a sputter. I stuck a screw drive in each plug wire and touched the screw driver to each plug and it never sparked. The battery is brand new, however it is currently on the charger to be sure it is fully recharged. I am open to suggestions, what can I try to eliminate any of the components and/or issues?

before you pull one of my "repair" methods (that end up costing much more than needed) take it to a shop for a check up, let them diagnose what is wrong in the electrical system then you or they fix it.
I had a similar problem on an older johnson and in my mechanical wisdom spent about 200.00 more than what it would have to let my mechanic fix it. I love doing my own work on the engines but have come to realize that some things are best left to those that know more than I do.

this site has some great info, wiring diagrams included. it may help

http://www.maxrules.com/JOwireindex.html

Thanks for the information. It looks like I have some reading to do.