04 GTX LTD - Is it the ECU or MPEM that needs replaced?

[glajos42]

I just purchased a 04 GTX LTD 4-tec and used the CanDoo software to see what is causing the MAINT light to come on.

First the ski will start right up and run (I have not launched it yet) but gives the MAINT light on the dash. Everything else seems to be working fine

I get 2 codes when I scan the system.

The first is P0600 - CAN communication problem detected by EMS or MPEM
The second is P1607 - MPEM fault

I have called several people and they tell me that the ECU needs replaced. But that goes against what the codes say.

So what is the part number that I should replace for the codes listed above?

 

[ski-d00]

Probably neither. The MPEM is just a fuse box and power distribution center so there is nothing there except connections. You should check all terminals at the MPEM and connectors as well as the fuses for corrosion.

Is the MAINT just when you plug the key in? It comes on at regular intervals just to remind you to do regular service.

It sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere. If it starts and runs fine it is unlikely that your ECU needs replaced. What codes do you get when you press set 5 times? Are you getting check engine or just MAINT? Is it in limp mode?

Need more info on exactly what it is doing.

 

[glajos42]

I will check the fuses and the connections on it this weekend. The ski is supposed to be a surprise so I am limited when I can sneak away to work on it.

It is just the MAINT light on the ski when I put the key on it. I cleared all the codes using the software and the 2 codes that I listed is what came up after clearing the codes. I was hoping they were just reminders but it does not look that way.

I will post more once I check the connections and the fuses.

 

[ski-d00]

you need to reset the maintenance hours. simple to do on BUDS, don't have any experience with CanDoo but I would assume it would be simple as well.

 

[glajos42]

I checked all the fuses and all was good.

Next was to reset the maintenance hours and that was also easy with the CanDoo software. That seemed to fix the maint code coming up on the dash.

When I get back from vacation I will launch it and see if that fixed it.

I also had to replace the steering cable which turned into a PITA but at least it is done with now. Only thing left to do is to change the oil and spark plugs.

 

[glajos42]

So now we took it out and tried it out. It ran fine except right off the bat the check engine light came on but the ski kept running fine.

We then ran it for about a mile and all of a sudden it felt like a car kicking out of gear and the ski would have a vibration and not engage the pump as normal. I removed/installed the key and started it back up and the ski acted normal until I got to about 5k rpms when it did the same thing again and 'kicked' out of gear and felt like it was slipping.

Nothing has changed since the last time except I changed the oil and checked the level prior to taking it out. I don't know if it matters but it is at the upper level of the dipstick (slightly over the upper level). Should I take some out? I don't know how picky a super charger is if the oil is too high.

The only codes that I read were the P0600 and P1607.

 

[lamajama]

Sounds like you have a wear ring issue for one thing. And yes if you have to much oil that's an issue that I just went thru. Remove some oil to get it down. Make sure the machine is levelled when you check it. I was advised with my oil issue to check the hoses to the SC and see if any oil was inside the hoses and there was. Not a lot but still a small puddle in one hose. I have wiped it out clean and have been told that should solve my own stealing issue.

 

[glajos42]

So would the excess oil cause something to slip in the pump? It was working fine (minus the warning light) for about 30 minutes all the up to full rpms and speed. I would have thought if the wear ring was shot that it would do it right from the start and be more consistent.

 

[lamajama]

As far as the wear ring issue have you checked to see if you ingested something like a piece of wood or debris - that can cause a sudden issue like you describe.

The excess oil, as described to me, typically occurs after you've been running for a while and certainly when getting
up to higher rpm and speeds

 

[glajos42]

Yeah I checked the intakes on it twice while we were out and there was nothing in either one.

The excess oil looks to be the first place I should start and see what happens. Since I will be taking oil out I am going with the level (when ski is level) should be right in the middle on the dip stick?

 

[lamajama]

Oil - yes that's good.

As far as the wear ring - your original description does fit a wear ring issue - it's like it's stuck in neutral or if your
tires are spinning in snow and you're going nowhere.

 

[ski-d00]

you have two intakes? what and where exactly are you checking?

excess oil is not related to a pump problem which is what you have and something is not slipping in the pump, it's called cavitation and just feels like something is slipping in the pump. you have to get the ski out of the water and look closely at the impeller and wear ring from underneath, really closely with a flashlight and you may have to take the pump assy off.

sometimes wear rings break apart and causes an instant problem, not a slowly occurring problem, but my guess is you have something stuck on your impeller.

oil level should never be above the high mark on the dipstick, so yes, you should take some out. mid way up the dipstick is ideal.

 

[glajos42]

Maybe it was just one intake that I grabbed from each side. Is there a grate over the intake?

Im just surprised that the symptom would go away if I shut off and started the ski.

But I will check the impeller and reduce the amount of oil. The water we wear in was clean

 

[ski-d00]

Many times, once you shut it off, the suction pressure from the pump will subside and let the obstruction pressed against the intake grate, float away and it will no longer be an issue. It tends to clear itself almost automatically most of the time especially in seaweed areas.

Is this your first PWC? Not trying to demean but this is pretty normal stuff for seadoo people that we just deal with in lakes and rivers that have floating and below surface debris. Even if it looks clean on the surface, it rarely is truly clean.

What you describe is exactly to a "T" what it does when something gets caught in the intake grate.

 

[glajos42]

Yeah this is my first ski. I have a power boat and got this for something to play on when the winds are too rough.

It takes alot more to demean me. Im just happy you guys provide all this info.

 

[glajos42]

So I took a look at the impeller and there was nothing on it. I am guessing that a stock wear ring is black in color as mine is white and looks to be replaced. It is super tight around the impeller so I am thinking the wear ring is ok. Only other thing I could think of is that whatever was on the impeller is now gone???

I took out some oil and started it back up. The check engine light on the dash did come on and flashed but there was no codes when I connected it to the can doo.

I forgot to mention that this was sitting for 2 years prior to purchasing it so I am wondering if the gas is old (I did fill it up) and causing the light to come on. This would happen on my boat early in the season.

Any suggestions to check anything prior to taking it out again?

 

[brobertov8]

So I took a look at the impeller and there was nothing on it. I am guessing that a stock wear ring is black in color as mine is white and looks to be replaced. It is super tight around the impeller so I am thinking the wear ring is ok. Only other thing I could think of is that whatever was on the impeller is now gone???

I took out some oil and started it back up. The check engine light on the dash did come on and flashed but there was no codes when I connected it to the can doo.

I forgot to mention that this was sitting for 2 years prior to purchasing it so I am wondering if the gas is old (I did fill it up) and causing the light to come on. This would happen on my boat early in the season.

Any suggestions to check anything prior to taking it out again?

Hey Buddy,

Did you find any conclusion to this topic?

I have EXACTLY the same issue on my GTX SC '04. Hard to belive, but it is EXACLTY the same.

No one could believe that "electrical issue" could make vibration and cavitation... I could not!!!

On CANDOO I got exact same error than you.

yesterday I swap de rectifier, it appears that improved.
I will only can test it on the lake next weeekend.

i´m very curious if you found the reason!!

Thanks