01 seadoo xp - keeps cranking, *not* solenoid or button

[hookdonspeed]

So last year i got stranded on the ski, wasnt a big deal, was end of season and got a ride back, the issue was it wouldnt start.

So come this year(starting yesterday), I tracked the issue down to a bad solenoid. 12v on the power wire, 12v on the yellow striped trigger wire when i push the button.

new solenoid installed, here comes my issue. push the button, it cranks.... and keeps cranking.... UNTIL i pull the trigger plug, then it stops. Put meter back on the solenoid trigger plug, 0v, push starter button i get 12v, release and it drops right back to 0.... WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!

i dont have a wiring diagram, so not sure how the power is controlled, i assume since its start/stop its via the mpem? even if so, why does it only lock itself on when cranking? :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[Coastiejoe]

Ok. If the trigger wire is going to Zero volts and it is still cranking, there are only two things that can do that. A low voltage battery and or a defective solenoid. New does not mean good in all cases.

 

[hookdonspeed]

Ok. If the trigger wire is going to Zero volts and it is still cranking, there are only two things that can do that. A low voltage battery and or a defective solenoid. New does not mean good in all cases.

if it was the solenoid it wouldnt stop when i unplugged it, well atleast i cant think of any reason that would make that happen.

curious, how does a low (its brandnew 12.6 volts) battery make the starter stay engaged? and i only tested the trigger wires unpluged from solenoid, was assuming somehow cranking/load made it stay on.

 

[Coastiejoe]

A low voltage battery basically welds the internal contacts and keep the solenoid closed. But that isn't your case as unplugging the trigger stops it.

My guess is, the solenoid is feeding the trigger wire once activated.

On the output side of the solenoid, how many wires are there?

 

[hookdonspeed]

of the main power feeding the starter? just 1.

on the main power from the battery 2.

 

[wfo speedracer]

More than likely your MPEM is dead, I have had them keep cranking and have had one that would crank on its own, both times it was a bad MPEM, it could also be a bad start switch so check it out with a meter before going anywhere else.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If your start button is not staying closed, then I would agree, for some reason the MPEM is telling it to crank.
It goes from the Start Button back to the MPEM and then down to the solenoid.

 

[hookdonspeed]

Welp, Coastiejoe was right, brand new solenoid was bad.... borrowed a known-good one from a friend, ski works just as it should. went to local pwc shop and got a new oem one vs the aftermarket one i had before, everything is good now....

i guess it was shorting the positive inside, and pulling the plug released the negitive so it cut off. just glad it didnt damage the starter.

cant believe there are such low-grade parts around :/