Motor won't turn off..

[bobnlee2007]

I posted this in the Electrical section. Maybe it goes in this one instead...

I just replaced the external voltage regulator on my OMC 235
engine (Ford 351W) and now I can't turn the engine off with
the ignition switch. The engine keeps going even with the switch in
the off position. I've installed another switch and same result.
The previous external voltage regulator did a meltdown. The Alternator
seems to be okay despite the Voltage regulator meltdown.
The alternator is a Prestolite ($$$).
I can shut the engine off by turning the ignition to off then slowly shifting
the gear to fwd or reverse. Cranks okay. The battery charges okay now
with the new voltage regulator. Just can't turn it off with the key switch.
I saw a blurb about a diode being used in the "purple" wire to the Alternator.
But, that was for a different Alternator than a Prestolite.
Maybe a bad Voltage Regulator? (OMC 383440).
Any ideas?

 

[Beer Thirty]

does your boat have a kill switch on the shifter or dash? like an emergency shut off or something with a lanyard attached to it?