750SX kill switch problem & water sensor

[Jetski Steve]

Hey all,
I have a 92750SX and have a few questions. First, is there a common kill switch problem with these ski's? The kill switch works very rarely, whenever it feels up to it. Otherwise I have to kill it with the choke if i'm riding or yank the plug wires off in the garage. I remember something on a formum once where someone said that it was common but wasnt the kill switch but something in the ignition box but I can't remember what. Looking at the exploded parts view on the ignition I don't see anything labled kill switch.

Second, what does the water sensor do? I've heard of people disconnecting them when installing an aftermarket pipe. Is this a bad thing? What would the side effects be?

Thanks,
Steve....

[Dan DePardo]

Hi;
You might try disassembling the start / stop switch assembly and taking a look at the condition of things. The "kill switch" or as Kawasaki calls it, "switch, stop&start", connects directly to the CDI. The Kawasaki part number is: 27010-3732, and is the same switch assembly used in all 750SX and SXi boats, including the current model SXi Pro. You should be able to find a good one used at a PWC salvage yard.

Chances are it's either the switch or the wiring harness. You can check both with a multimeter. Unplug and check that the stop switch has near zero resistance between the connections with the button pressed. Individually check the white wire and the black wire connections from the handlebar switch assembly back to the electrical box.

Although they do go bad if the rubber seal leaks, the stop switches are pretty rugged, and my bet is that there is a open wire in the handlepole harness either by the steering or where the harness comes out of the bottom of the 'pole. The outside jacket of the wire may look fine, but it may be corroded or broken inside the insulation. Take a good look at the electrical box connector plugs and jacks too.

The water sensor could potentially save your engine and prevent you from getting stranded, and I recommend leaving it connected if it's working correctly. If your head outlet cooling water temperature rises above 202 degrees F, engine RPM is limited to 3500 RPM, which you should take as a warning that something is seriously wrong. There is no performance benefit to disabling a functional sensor. I still have the sensor plumbed into the cooling system of my somewhat modified '98 SXi Pro.

Dan

[Jetski Steve]

I just wanted to say thanks for the info. It turned out to be a corrodec conector (the one on the outside of the ignition box), whew! That sure was the easyiest thing that it could have been. I would have hated wrestling that handpole to put a new wire & switch in! :D