12V Low Help, 02 GTX RFI

[Dugout]

Riding the ski for about 1 hour and the 12V Low message appeared. Took about 30 minutes of normal riding to get back to dock. Ski did not go into limp. Let sit for about 5 minutes and tried to start ski. Battery appeared to be dead. Load tested battery and battery was bad. The next day replaced with new battery and after 1 hour of riding the same thing. Shut ski off at dock and let sit for about 5 minutes and tried to start ski. No problem starting.

History: replaced stator & rectifier 2 years ago. Used the heavier rectifier recommended from the 4-tech machines.

What should I check?

 

[Dr Honda]

Did you check the fuse? (15a in the MPEM)

If that's good... put a meter on the battery, and bring the engine up to 5000 RPM. You should be reading 13.5 to 14 v.

 

[Dugout]

Dr. Check the fuses, all are good. Checked battery with ski not running, 12.5 volts. Checked battery with ski running, 5000 - 5500 rpm, 14.0 volts.

Check stator? Can't find the procedure for this?

Reading the manual and is tells me to check for Amps being created vs. what is being used. Next test?

What else should I check?

 

[Linescreamer]

Did you check for bad connections or a lose ground?

 

[Dr Honda]

Sounds like it's working to me.

You may need a meter, and go for a ride. Also... as above... you may have a loose wire, and it's loosing connection while you are out riding.

 

[Dugout]

Sounds like it's working to me.

You may need a meter, and go for a ride. Also... as above... you may have a loose wire, and it's loosing connection while you are out riding.

Dr., not sure what you mean about a meter and a ride. Take a meter on the ski and when it goes to 12V low measure something?

I pulled the the 20A fuses in the rear electrical box and they were good. I also did the test for Charging Current = Current from regulator - Consumed current. The manual says 3-4A. I got less than 1A. I have to recheck this.

I checked the resistance of the 3 yellow wires coming out of the regulator. It was less than .1 ohm. Did not check each wire to ground. Will do that tonight and recheck between wires.

I have to recheck things because I had limited time last night.

Load tested new battery and was good.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... take a meter with your, and monitor the output.

Right now... since you are seeing 14v at the battery... the system is working. If there was a problem, and the system couldn't supply the needed power... it would be showing low voltage. (and the battery would be draining)

I have a feeling that the regulator is going bad... and after it gets warm/hot it stops working... and that's when the battery drains.

 

[Dugout]

Dr. I can try that. It's a possibility that it's getting hot and not working.

Here is something odd I need to add to the mix. Both times this has happened I of course headed back to the dock, shut the ski off, removed lanyard from post, replaced lanyard on post (1st time was after it sat for an hour, 2nd time was immediately after shutting off the ski), 2 beeps, start ski, no 12V low message. The I let the ski idle for a minute, still no 12V low message. I would expect the 12V low message to pop back up on the display.

I may have a good OEM regulator. Will have to dig it out and try it. The current regulator is supposed to be the better one from the 4-techs.

 

[Dr Honda]

Here is something odd I need to add to the mix. Both times this has happened I of course headed back to the dock, shut the ski off, removed lanyard from post, replaced lanyard on post (1st time was after it sat for an hour, 2nd time was immediately after shutting off the ski), 2 beeps, start ski, no 12V low message. The I let the ski idle for a minute, still no 12V low message. I would expect the 12V low message to pop back up on the display.

This post is contradictory to your first post.

If the ski starts... how can the battery be dead?

 

[Dugout]

What I should have said was; the 1st time it happened there was just enough in the battery to turn the engine over once and for the ski to catch and start. No 12V low message. Shut ski off and tried to start it again and the battery was dead. This was with the original battery.

With the new battery, rode for 1 hour, 12V low message, shut ski down at dock, restarted ski without a problem, let run for minute, no 12V low message. Have been using this new battery when doing the tests and ski doesn't appear to have a problem starting. Also no 12V low message on the display when doing the tests.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Dugout]

Latest info.

System is charging. Putting out almost 14A. Got this reading quickly before it blew the 10A fuse in my meter. Didn't think the system put this much out. Ran ski for about 1 hour cruising around from idle to 5K rpm's. Got the 12V low message. Headed back to the marina and the message stayed on. Shut ski off at marina. Restarted about 5 minutes later with no problem and no message. Battery has full charge. Replaced the rectifier with a good OEM Sea Doo one. Again ran ski for about 1 hour cruising around from idle to 5K rpm's. Headed back to the marina and the message would go off and on. Restarted about 5 minutes later with no problem and no message. Battery has full charge. Ski runs great when the message is displayed.

Cables all appear to be tight Will trace ground wires this week. Had someone hook up the Sea Doo scanner for codes and none were found. Any other ideas?

 

[Dugout]

Took the ski a dealer and they replaced the rectifier. They said they tested the rectifier in the ski and it would charge fine above 4k rpm's but would not consistently at less then 4k rpm's. It would change then not charge and run strictly off the battery. They then tested the extra rectifier I had and this one they said would change then not charge and run strictly off the battery.

Got ski back over the weekend and ran great with no issues. The only thing I can think of is that I didn't allow the ski to run long enough when testing to have this problem show up.

 

[alynaws]

Wiring problem?