1996 GSX MPEM replacement

[fourtwenty]

I've got a 96 GSX that the shop says needs a new MPEM(278000897). Their parts price is way too much so I was going to source one myself for them to install. they also quoted the switch (278000955) and key (278002199). My question is whether these are really required, and if so, I assume I need to get brand new ones, because if a used one was ok, then why not reuse what is already there? Ideally I'd like to find all out of the same craft but that's proving difficult. I also came across a new MPEM (several actually) on ebay that are about 1/3 the price of what the shop quoted. Any comments on those?

Thanks!

 

[racerxxx]

What is the ski doing or not doing? Is it not recognizing the key?

 

[fourtwenty]

I tried to start it a few weeks ago and it wouldn't start. Just a beep. Took it in and they told me I need the 3 part #'s I listed in my original post. I balked at the price of the MPEM so decided to try to source it myself. Since the key and switch need to be programmed to the MPEM (or so I've been told) can't the original ones be programmed to the new MPEM?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

yes, used is ok.
usually used ones sell with the matching key, if not you can get yours to match up pretty reasonable by using nick (have used him several times with 100% satisfaction)
on fleabay they (complete with key) are selling from $150 up to $300+, ebay/paypal is pretty generous to the buyer with the return policies so you can feel reasonably comfortable buying one and seeing if it solves your issue.

It might just be a bad post, I find it weird that a shop would say you need a post AND the MPEM, seems pretty unlikely to me that both would go bad at the same time.

 

[racerxxx]

Press the start button 5 times without the lanyard on the post. You should get a short beep then a longer beep. Install the lanyard and press the start button. If everything is correct the ski should start, it won't confirming you have a problem. Now, listen to the beeps it gives you and report back.

If you get:
1 Long and 1 short beep The MPEM has never been programmed for a lanyard

2 short beeps either the MPEM can't read the code from the lanyard or the post is bad (magnet inside). Probably the post.

2 Long beeps Wrong lanyard all together or bad wiring in the ski

3 short beeps Wiring of the DESS switch is grounded.

If you need to do it again to get the correct beeps remove the lanyard, wait a few seconds and try again.

 

[fourtwenty]

Press the start button 5 times without the lanyard on the post. You should get a short beep then a longer beep. Install the lanyard and press the start button. If everything is correct the ski should start, it won't confirming you have a problem. Now, listen to the beeps it gives you and report back.

If you get:
1 Long and 1 short beep The MPEM has never been programmed for a lanyard

2 short beeps either the MPEM can't read the code from the lanyard or the post is bad (magnet inside). Probably the post.

2 Long beeps Wrong lanyard all together or bad wiring in the ski

3 short beeps Wiring of the DESS switch is grounded.

If you need to do it again to get the correct beeps remove the lanyard, wait a few seconds and try again.

This is great info and I really appreciate it, but the ski is sitting at the shop out near the cottage so I have no easy way of doing this. Are these not things the marina would have tried to determine if there was a problem? They are a Sea-Doo authorized dealer. Do dealers routinely misdiagnose stuff like this? They've told us it needs a new MPEM and also quoted replacing the switch and key. My question was more asking about if the key and switch need to be replaced at the same time.

 

[fourtwenty]

yes, used is ok.
usually used ones sell with the matching key, if not you can get yours to match up pretty reasonable by using nick (have used him several times with 100% satisfaction)
on fleabay they (complete with key) are selling from $150 up to $300+, ebay/paypal is pretty generous to the buyer with the return policies so you can feel reasonably comfortable buying one and seeing if it solves your issue.

It might just be a bad post, I find it weird that a shop would say you need a post AND the MPEM, seems pretty unlikely to me that both would go bad at the same time.

When you say "post" do you mean the switch?

I attached a photo of part of the work order for reference.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I would suggest getting the ski. I would be shocked if we here can't walk you through a good fix.


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[soccerdad]

On the 96 GSX, a single beep is it cant recognize the key. If that is all it is, you can send you key and MPEM to nick [MENTION=41828]Minnetonka4me[/MENTION] and he will check the mpem. If it works, he will key it for a mere $30 and you will good to go within a week. If not, he can sell you a new one. I second the suggestions to get your ski back. This one is pretty easy to fix.

 

[fourtwenty]

On the 96 GSX, a single beep is it cant recognize the key. If that is all it is, you can send you key and MPEM to nick [MENTION=41828]Minnetonka4me[/MENTION] and he will check the mpem. If it works, he will key it for a mere $30 and you will good to go within a week. If not, he can sell you a new one. I second the suggestions to get your ski back. This one is pretty easy to fix.

Do keys sometimes go bad? Wouldn't an authorized dealer know to check for that sort of thing? They've done a bunch of stuff on this machine in the past for no charge, so I don't think they're out to scam me.

 

[soccerdad]

Yes they do. But the beeps tell you what the issue is. One beep usually means it does not recognize the key. But at least it beeps... It is impossible for us to help much without you having the ski. You could have them pull the mpem and give it to you along with the key. You could send it to Nick and he can test it, key it if needed, or get you what you need. I doubt it needs a new mpem, key and post. That is just pepboys troubleshooting. Change Everything and hope....

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Yup I can test it, testing is free if its bad and you buy a replacement from me. Let me know if I can help.

 

[fourtwenty]

Ok I'll get it back, do the beep test thing and report back. May take a few days though. Thanks for all the help!

 

[fourtwenty]

Press the start button 5 times without the lanyard on the post. You should get a short beep then a longer beep. Install the lanyard and press the start button. If everything is correct the ski should start, it won't confirming you have a problem. Now, listen to the beeps it gives you and report back.

If you get:
1 Long and 1 short beep The MPEM has never been programmed for a lanyard

2 short beeps either the MPEM can't read the code from the lanyard or the post is bad (magnet inside). Probably the post.

2 Long beeps Wrong lanyard all together or bad wiring in the ski

3 short beeps Wiring of the DESS switch is grounded.

If you need to do it again to get the correct beeps remove the lanyard, wait a few seconds and try again.

So my dad was able to get it back and he tested it. Got 2 short beeps. What do people think? Should I replace the post and see what happens?

 

[soccerdad]

Ok two short beeps when you put the key on the post is good. If it does not rank then we need to check the starter solenoid. Open the rear electrical box. Unplug the connector going to the solenoid. You can use a volt meter and set to volts. Put the probes on the two pins in the cable that you just disconnected. Put on key get two beeps then have someone press the start button. You should read about 12 volts dc. Post results.


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[soccerdad]

We're the two beeps in test mode or just when he put the key on?


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[fourtwenty]

Ok two short beeps when you put the key on the post is good. If it does not rank then we need to check the starter solenoid. Open the rear electrical box. Unplug the connector going to the solenoid. You can use a volt meter and set to volts. Put the probes on the two pins in the cable that you just disconnected. Put on key get two beeps then have someone press the start button. You should read about 12 volts dc. Post results.

We're the two beeps in test mode or just when he put the key on?

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Sorry it took so long. My dad wasn't comfortable with the voltmeter so it had to wait until I went to the cottage. There's no voltage at the connector to the solenoid when I try to start it.

The 2 beeps are the result after you push the start button 5 times them put the key on and try to start it.

 

[racerxxx]

From my previous post, lanyard or the post. Probably the post, it's the most common.

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[Seadoodoc]

Interesting historical side note here. Seadoo had lots of problems with lanyards in 96 models. Mostly at cold temps, changing resistance values which is why a hot breath or hand warming lanyard would start boat. Superceded lanyard ended in #500. But sounds like bad solenoid... tap on it will hottin start button. Check grey plug at mtr front for corrosion

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[fourtwenty]

Interesting historical side note here. Seadoo had lots of problems with lanyards in 96 models. Mostly at cold temps, changing resistance values which is why a hot breath or hand warming lanyard would start boat. Superceded lanyard ended in #500. But sounds like bad solenoid... tap on it will hottin start button. Check grey plug at mtr front for corrosion

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Interesting, but if I am not getting any voltage at the solenoid connector when I push the start button (to close the solenoid), how would tapping the solenoid help?

We're ordering the post, and my dad followed up with the dealer to see why they recommended replacing all 3 parts. Here is what they had to say:

"I spoke wtih the tech who was working on your Seadoo, Of course when you Seadoo was here it started everytime ( this is always the way )....The reason he advised a new module is because when he tried to programm a new key , your module would not recognise it, and when he hooked it up to our BUDS computer system , it would not hook up to be able to reprogramm or to read hours etc for your machine...he said a new switch/ post may work, it would be the cheapest place to start..."

Is the fact that the module wouldn't connect to the BUDS computer system (no idea what that is) consistent with needing a new MPEM?