1996 sea doo starter issues

[lostatsea13]

I picked up a 1996 sea doo gsx for 250. Sat for 3yrs after the guy fixing it burnt some wires. Changed the burnt wires got new starter, solenoid, coil, battery, electronic module (without security built in) rectifier, fixed the info center gauge, cleaned all connections I could find, added a master battery disconnect, switched over to premix, So I turn it over checking for spark and looks good and appears to be turning normal, put the plugs back in and it turns a quarter or less stops and the shaft returns where it started, then does the same thing over for as long as the start button is pushed. For some reason it won't go past a quarter turn. I did notice the starter had nine teeth and original had eight. After checking I was told they both mesh with the flywheel. Having second thoughts about that. Anybody had or seen this before? Maybe got an idea, I'd listen to anything you got. It;s on the bucket list, so I have to make it out to the fishing spot, Can't do it in a regular boat too dangerous. That's why it's packed with fish nobody wants to fish there. I looked in the books and on the forums but didn't find anything. thx.

 

[mikidymac]

That’s the exact symptom of a bad battery. It doesn’t have enough power to crank over against the compression. Yes, new batteries can be bad especially the Walmart NeverStarts.

Take it and have it load tested.

And make sure all battery and ground cables are clean and tight.

 

[GGuillot]

I did notice the starter had nine teeth and original had eight.

Original is a 9 tooth starter, that's what my 96' GSX has. I believe in the 1997 year models Seadoo switched to a 8 tooth starter, which my 97' GTX has.

I'd caution against a 'new' starter if that's what you got, the aftermarkets do not have a good reputation. You'd be better off rebuilding the original OEM if you still have it.

 

[lostatsea13]

That’s the exact symptom of a bad battery. It doesn’t have enough power to crank over against the compression. Yes, new batteries can be bad especially the Walmart NeverStarts.

Take it and have it load tested.

And make sure all battery and ground cables are clean and tight.

Well the battery just so happens to be the Walmart NeverStarts $85. I ask the cashier what kind of warranty this had, he told me these don't have any warranty at all. Were going to see about that after a load test. Thanks for the information. Well if anybody's looking for me i'll be raising hell at the Walmart. (not really)

 

[lostatsea13]

Original is a 9 tooth starter, that's what my 96' GSX has. I believe in the 1997 year models Seadoo switched to a 8 tooth starter, which my 97' GTX has.

I'd caution against a 'new' starter if that's what you got, the aftermarkets do not have a good reputation. You'd be better off rebuilding the original OEM if you still have it.

Nobody i have talked with likes those aftermarket starters. Unfortunately the original was shot from trying to start it without fixing the problems it had first. The magnet's were being worn down. It had magnet powder packed on one end. Thinking that's why it fried some wires. Thanks for the info.

 

[mikidymac]

In the future you can get good used OEM starters from Westside Powersports Seadoo and sometimes you can find them on Ebay.

 

[etemplet]

Well the battery just so happens to be the Walmart NeverStarts $85. I ask the cashier what kind of warranty this had, he told me these don't have any warranty at all. Were going to see about that after a load test. Thanks for the information. Well if anybody's looking for me i'll be raising hell at the Walmart. (not really)

These watercraft batteries need to be dealt with. They are junk and for the money we pay a pitiful value. My cousin has a Auto Repair Shop and spends $5k a week at a big name auto parts store. He tells the manager oh you're gonna warranty these batteries. He is on his Third set from new. They flat don't last and for $100 the is crazy.

 

[mikidymac]

I have been buying the genuine Yuasa YTX-20-HL-BS sealed AGM batteries on amazon for $80 the last few years and they have been flawless and have more CCA than the flooded batteries.

 

[lostatsea13]

It was a bad battery, got a different brand and installed it, primed the carbs fired right up. I had found a plug or something like that under the motor. Tried finding where it came out of by using a endoscope and looking in the shop manual with no luck. I think everybody knows how fun it is if you drop anything around the motor. Has anybody seen where this or knows anything about this mystery item? Maybe a drain plug?

 

[ocod]

It was a bad battery, got a different brand and installed it, primed the carbs fired right up. I had found a plug or something like that under the motor. Tried finding where it came out of by using a endoscope and looking in the shop manual with no luck. I think everybody knows how fun it is if you drop anything around the motor. Has anybody seen where this or knows anything about this mystery item? Maybe a drain plug?

it looks like the bushing that goes to the exhaust mount?

 

[noviceskier]

 

[lostatsea13]

I think your right, I went and looked at this and found they were the same. Didn't recognize it because it had been tightened and basically squashed together making it appear flat. I guess the one I had found got lost under the motor and just replaced. Thanks for your help, I would still been looking for a drain plug or something. This Forum was a lot of help. All that's left is testing it in the ocean tomorrow morning Thanks again for all the help.

 

[ocod]

I think your right, I went and looked at this and found they were the same. Didn't recognize it because it had been tightened and basically squashed together making it appear flat. I guess the one I had found got lost under the motor and just replaced. Thanks for your help, I would still been looking for a drain plug or something. This Forum was a lot of help. All that's left is testing it in the ocean tomorrow morning Thanks again for all the help.

Hope all went well if you tested alone.
Its never a good idea.

Always start ski in water on trailer and check for leaks with seat off.

Let it warm up and push away but stay close jik stalls and won't re fire.

After you feel safe, then its time to see what it can do but stop and check for water in hull or if its getting hot.

Its a pain and not fun being out in ocean alone and away from other boats.

Forgot name of guy years ago was stuck in one of the great lakes when he didn't know it ran out of fuel. He's was drifting for hours and was picked up hours later.

Edit: Took me a second to remember but here is his story.

https://www.seadooforum.com/threads/so-i-ran-out-of-gas-today-on-the-bay.47956/