My Kill switch isn't working....Can somebody explain the system to me?  I took the cover off of the ignition plate where the igntion and kill switch are mounted.  I expected the wires to run directly to the ignition.  How does the kill switch, cut the motor off exactly.  I think it's just a faulty switch, but I want to check everything thoroughly to prevent any future issues.

First, you gotta say what kind of motor, they have different functions for different manufactors.

For instance, a mercury motor must have 12VDC from the key switch to run.  When you turn the key switch on, it applies 12VDC to the motor so it can run.  The kill switch disconnects that 12V, the same a turning the key switch off, and shutting the engine down.

OMC/BRP motors apply a ground to the ignition module to turn off the motor.  Without that ground, you can't shut the engine off.  When the key switch is turned on, the ground is removed, when the key switch is turn off, it applies the ground.  Their kill switch applies a ground when pulled, shutting the motor off.

Don't know how any of the others work because I don't mess with them.