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So I backed the boat down the ramp into the water. Put the ebrake on etc. Went to grab the keys of the dash, and i grabbed the little floaty thing, not realizing the keys were hanging ob the chain in the defrost vent, broke the chain, keys fell into the vent. Tried taking the whole dash off, til cant get to them. Do I need to take out my key switch now in order to have a new key made for it? Easier/not too expensive to just get a whole new switch? I can't believe I did this :(. Would like to be in the water tomorrow or at least by saterday. ANyone know how to hotwire it? I'm guessing I have to unhook one, (the kill switch wire), or ground it out, whichever way that works, and then I know i have to tap two ofem together, just dont remember which colors etc. FIgured I could go out and if I need to turn if off that badly I'll just unplug the fuel line or ground/unground the kill wire. Maybe a bit irresponsible idk. ANy thoughts?

-Sean

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May be a retrival magnet at your locat hardwere store.I have two sets, I keep one on the tool box or it could be in the tackle box. I never had to use it, but it is there if I need it. Your boat dealer may have one, but I think you would have to take it there to try. Sorry to here this and hope you can find a answer before tomorrow. Lets see if any one has any other ideas.

ADDED;

I all so prefer a cable key ring over a ball chain.. For a buck or two they will not break like a ball chain..

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/imag...amp;sr=1-6

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The ignition switch has a number on it. Any good boat mechanic should be able to get you a key, and may have one on the shelf. there are not that many different keys to each brand any way.

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To add to the good advice.

I saw in the hardware store a LED flashlight with a telescoping center that had a magnet on the end.

Then again, buy a small magnet and tie a string to it, then feed it into the vent.

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If only the keys fell in and not any part of the steel ring then a magnet will not work, as keys are brass. If a dealer is not nearby a locksmith can fix you up.
Mike

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My keys are non-magnetic.

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Early on I took my Whaler keys to every locksmith in the area. All I got was dumbfounded looks. It's an unconventional key. The way to get a new key is with the number from the BW dealer. They cost about $3.

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One of my coolest tools is my "thingamagrabber". It's a flexible shaft with small, spring-steel jaws on the end. You stick it into hard-to-reach places the jaws extended and it clings to stuff like screws, washers, dead flies, keys, and whatnot. Wish I knew how to point you to one. It's 30 years old by now I guess.

edit - Something similar to this:
http://hand-tools.hardwarestore.com/6...97812.aspx

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Not going to help you much right now, but I bought a spare key and I keep it concealed in my battery box.........Now if my boat gets stolen I'll know it was someone on the site that did it! :)

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As mentioned above, there are not that many key's for the ignition switch, they go by a #. An "Evinrude" dealer would be your best bet for a key. In the mean time along with the other good method's suggested for "retrieval", I would try tapping on the defroster vent gently from underneath (or on top, or any way you can get to it or the duct work) with the de-froster blower fan motor set on "High". Try changing/alternating from "Defrost" to "vent" to "Floor" setting with the fan setting on "high" as well as "Tapping" the duct work. Sometimes changing the direction of the "AIR" on the "High" fan setting or "Tapping" the duct work will blow the obstruction out the "Heat" or "Floor" vent. I have retrieved thing's in the past like this. Expect to get new key's made, and about six month's from now (December) you'll drive over a bump in the road and the key will blow out the floor vent.

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If you are really desprate, take a fork or simmilar piece of metal, jamb it into the ignition and turn. The key tumbler is really simple and overcoming the lock is easy.
This is if you plan on replacing the switch in the future.

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Should be very simple - the key has nothing to do with Whaler, it has to do with either Evinrude (if that's the motor on your boat) or the maker of the switch. If it's the original evinrude switch, just go to the local Evinrude dealer and they'll set you up. If not, you can always go to West Marine and buy another switch (they're about $40, I think) - they come with the new key. Change the switch (very simple), and you're off.

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"N.O." is correct, I just checked with the another "Boat Head" and they said the same thing "West Marine" $40, just make sure that you tell them it's an "Evinrude" (that's what's on your personal page) as that ignition switch has the "Push to choke" feature.

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Wow so many good ideas! thanks guys. I hate how I can't look at the posts while replying, but I'll answer what I can remember.

There is an "Evinrude Dealer" nearby, however I have it in "" because I've stopped there on a number of occasions and there has never been anyone at the shop. I'll try the place I had the motor fixed a few weeks ago, when the switch was replaced. Doubt he has a record of the switch, but sure we can prob look at it and get the numbers. He is a merc dealer but at the same time also is a mechanic and works on evinrudes etc. So not sure what he'l have in house but I'm sure he could get his hands on a key.

I looked at the switches at WM today, yea like 35 bucks. Would like to avoid that.

My bro suggested like a snake with something sticky on the end, idk maybe duct tape, or I was even thinking some half tacky 5200 that I still have from a leftover tube from 2 days ago, but I fear not being able to get the proper leverage, or know when I'm on it or not. However, one of you said to tie a magnet to a string and drop it down. That seems like a good way to target its most likely position, in which case it may enable me to pinpoint it enough to justify cutting into the duct and then patching it. Or maybe just some fresh 52 or 7200 if I could get it down to the right spot without getting stuck on the walls. That would be the tricky part of that.

Thank you so much guys. I'm sure I'll figure it out one way or another at least in tome for sat. Praying for nice weather. Thanks again!

-Sean

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Why Not?
Instead of clicking on the Reply button which does bring up a new window, just use the Quick Reply at the bottom of every thread. This way you can read all the posts just by scrolling up if necessary.

You can find brand new genuine OMC key switches with 2 keys on eBay from time to time for around $10 to $15...

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oh wow so thats what this is for. Thanks Joe. Kinda had a feeling there was a way to do it. lol. Btw everyone I got frustrated and took one of those big drill bits with the bit in the middle and the outer part that makes a hole, and went to town on the duct in my fiance's father's f150. hehe. got the key! and then duct taped it, funny how its called duct tape. anyway. Patched it back up. he'll never know the difference a its way up under the dash. Back in the water tomorrow!

-Sean

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oh and upon getting the key i went strait to walmart and had them make me 2 more :) Which are now going on a SEPARATE key chain. lol. Live and learn I guess. Thanks again for all your input everyone. this site is truly a tremendous resource.

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Put a spare in your battery box. Then I'll have TWO new boats for Christmas this year! har!!