I lost my yanmar 2dm20 ignition key
I know replacements available online. I have the large panel with original 40 yo engine.
Are all keys for these engines cut rhe same?
Wow.
Oddly my new ym30 has no key. Just push buttons.
I envy you. The key is an annoyance, esp when it is lost.
As a matter of fact, I should explore converting to a push button. Someone probably builds one that will serve.
Meanwhile the world wants to know if all yanmar 2gm20 keys are cut the same.
Looks like a push button is in my future. Did some checking, there are plenty of simple push button ignition switches out there which are competitive $ wise with keys.
Plus you can’t loose them without loosing the whole boat. So far I have not misplaced my boat.
Might call to confirm but this should work.
I’d have bet the keys weren’t identical !
The sale of these keys, via the website presented, seems to prove that they are all identical. Please check.
Any yanmar-equipped boat owner could start a career as a thief! ( doubtful humor… )
thanks all, I have decided to go with a push button switch.
simple, cheap and easy to upgrade,
I am not too concerned about security. If someone really wants to start the boat they can figure out how to start it without a key anyway.
Plus the switch comes with a very cool red LED light ring when activated.
Start me up!
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Better with a toggle switch as a latching push button not as easy to find
If your key also stops the engine, you will need a toggle switch to energise the system and a non latching push button (one that doesn’t stop on ) for the starter
Also I was told by yamnar mechanic that all yam ar keys are the same
He said it’s the same unit that’s used on construction sites and have to be generic as so many get lost
I have the large yanmar panel which has the press to start button right next to the key switch.
Today I removed the key switch and bread boarded an on/off push button in it’s place. It worked great so I am going to permanently install the push button. I’ll post pictures when complete.
No more keys.
It would be nice to transition the panel to all LED lights
When I bought my 1985 Freedom 32 (Yanmar 3GMF) in 2022, the marina owner, who seemed to be pretty familiar with Yanmars, told me that if I lost the key I could use a screwdriver.
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This would be the muscular method ! 
Actually legend has it one can start a small yanmar with a hand crank.
Never tried it but my engine starts in half a crank so I might be able to pull off a hand start. I actually have the right size socket on the boat.
Speaking of starting… as I have worked through my battery upgrade I have wanted to just briefly depress the start button to confirm I have a good start circuit after moving and reattaching cables which I have had to do several times - another long story - I literally can not depress that switch without starting the engine.
This is way better start performance than I was experiencing using normal diesel. I now use “Renewable Diesel” and have been for several years now. I buy it a a Shell station and haul it in jugs.This stuff is fantastic! Almost no diesel smell unburnt and burnt. Way less soot so the transom stays clean and fantastic starts.
Mike- as usual a really interesting read! Pic is my push to start for my 3gm30f- I’ve only ever used this when I’m doing yearly maintenance and cranking the the motor to the right position. On hand cranking, my old Sabre 34 had a Westerbeke 27) came with a hand crank which worked just fine when needed.
Interesting. I have an engine maintenance switch in the batt area. I turn it off to isolate the alternator from the start AGM when I am digging around during engine maintenance. The regulator is also wired to this switch so when the switch is off no one can activate the regulator and consequently apply a field voltage/current to the alternator.
With regard to the push button I am installing, it is just an on off switch to get power to the “push to start” button. Once I realized that was all the key switch was doing I figured why waste money on keys.
Push button switch installed and working great. But, to be honest, it is just a fancy looking on/off switch.
Regardless, I am sold. No more keys and no more replacing that key switch which cost me over $100.00 last time I replaced it.
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