My ignition key melted!

[DarrellA123]

After a great and uneventful run out to a local bar/restaurant the boat wouldn't start for the return trip. Batteries were good, aux instruments (chart plotters, VHF) turned on but turning the ignition key resulted in absolutely nothing happening. The Yamaha instruments don't come on, the tilt isn't working, nothing at all from the engine. Took the key out and saw that the rubber had melted and left a gooey mess. After about 20 years of membership I had to use BoatUS towing for the first time. Excellent service, they arrived in 20 minutes and made the long, slow tow back to my community dock.

It's a 2005 21SC with a Yamaha F150 engine.

Looking for suggestions before I start tearing things apart.
Thanks,
Darrell

 

[tomc585]

Start by looking for a broken or chafed wire that has made contact where it shouldn't have.

 

[Bodick93]

Not helpful, but dayum!
Is that a salt trail at the split in the case? It looks like a lot of corrosion on the whole unit, like it took a lot of saltwater spray.
Is this the guy? Not that I would want to dump that much money, but to avoid a fire, it may be worth it if there is much corrosion involved, especially if it comes with a few new keys. Might be like running a new boat. It would give you a chance to lube the cables and clean up behind it. That is flowing a decent amount of current.
I am waaay out of my depth, but does that have some kind of priming circuit that shorted?

 

[Bodick93]

Sooo any follow up? What caused it?

 

[DarrellA123]

Not entirely sure. The tech said the melted rubber on the key is a not uncommon issue with the older Yamaha keys. And the problem isn't in the key switch. He pulled the cowl off, did a few electrical checks and said, "Weird, I've never seen anything like this!" Not exactly what I wanted to hear. Anyhow, he pulled a number of electrical connections apart, put everything back together and everything works fine.

Must have been a loose or corroded connection somewhere under the hood. At least I hope that's all it was.

 

[Mjones9053]

After a great and uneventful run out to a local bar/restaurant the boat wouldn't start for the return trip. Batteries were good, aux instruments (chart plotters, VHF) turned on but turning the ignition key resulted in absolutely nothing happening. The Yamaha instruments don't come on, the tilt isn't working, nothing at all from the engine. Took the key out and saw that the rubber had melted and left a gooey mess. After about 20 years of membership I had to use BoatUS towing for the first time. Excellent service, they arrived in 20 minutes and made the long, slow tow back to my community dock.

It's a 2005 21SC with a Yamaha F150 engine.

Looking for suggestions before I start tearing things apart.
Thanks,
Darrell

The same thing happened with my 2005 Parker 2120 last week. I’d like to know exactly what the technician did in order to help me from being stranded? The motor still starts up. But if it is an electrical issue I’d like to solve before the next time I take the boat out.