'02 GTX RFI problem(s)

[the_g_man]

So I put my 2002 GTX RFI in the water a few days ago. Perfect start, no problems. The "12v low" display is on, but didn't think too much of it since it ALWAYS comes on for a few minutes then goes off (fyi: the ski STAYS on a maintenance charger...always.) The 12v light and display warning DON'T go off though. After maybe half an hour the ANALOG SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. At that point, there is VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION possible (but RPMs WILL rise with throttling it.) So I'm going to have to limp home at about 3 mph( digital display is still working.) On my VERY SLOW ride home, I'm breezing through the user manual as I limp along. Thinking maybe there is an intake blockage so, like a true GENIUS, I attempt the "in water clearance" technique for blocked intake. Of course, I can't restart the ski and the battery is dead. NICE. I managed to get towed back to the dock but didn't know to pinch off the water supply hose to the engine (I believe that is ok, though... read on.) Getting her home, I pulled the plugs and hooked up to the charger (NO water came from the plug ports when I hit the starter.) I PLAN ON: new battery and new plugs. YOUR THOUGHTS, PLEASE!!!! COncerned more about the lack of acceleration more than anything else.

 

[Bills86e]

Press & hold the mose and set buttons for 15 sec. to reset. Get all the water out and run engine asap or SOONER or the crank will rust ect.
A full maintenance is due! Clean the fuel system, get in stator check/vac out any metal grains, check the Rectifier regulator, RFI's eat them for breakfast!

 

[the_g_man]

thanks, Bills86e. i definitely need all the help i can get with this!

 

[Mr Africa]

Hi G man I assume by now you should have done everything that was needed to sought out your ski.
I have the exact same. So as for the acceleration that is because of your battery going dead that it does that. Not enough power on battery.
As for the low volt coming on that should have been a warning that your battery was on the way out. I have found with mine that if battery voltage is low that when I first hit the start button it would sound like starter engaging but not spin then I hit start again and it starts.

Now something I have come across which I found weird as to my knowledge ( very little ) the engine makes it's own voltage from the magnito but if my battery is low on voltage it doesn't run 100%. If I make sure the battery is fully charged after standing for a long time it starts at first press of the button and is perfect from the get go.

Go figure but I can only think that cause of the voltage low and the ski has to really charge the battery that it somehow seems to limit power to the coils.

Let me know if you have noticed the same thing.

Cheers

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Bill's right...these things burn up rectifiers like crazy. Then the voltage gets low/high and the computer goes haywire.

I may have a few used ones available.

Its also good to verify the battery....the RFIs need a 100% healthy, correct CCA battery.