1996 SPX - Intermittently Dies/no crank

[GeekDad]

Hi Guys, first post here.

I have a 1996 SPX ski (non DESS) that over the years has intermittently just died and would restart. At the end of last summer it died and then would not crank. After first time out this year, it died again and would not crank (my daughter was on it at the time so I can't give any other specifics). Battery connections are clean. She tried removing lanyard and re-connecting without any change (as did I when it happened to me).

I have replaced:

Battery (was 2-3 years old and wouldn't hold charge anyway)
Negative battery cable and cleaned ground at engine block
Lanyard switch (replaced several years ago) - again this is a non DESS ski


In the backyard, with the lanyard removed, if I ground the temperature sensor wire, the temp LED illuminates and buzzer screams if I press the On/Off button - that looks good. Ground stud in electrical box is tight.

After some time the ski will restart (maybe after being subjected to bouncing from waves) and run. My thoughts are a bad ground to the main electrical box but I am not sure which connection(s) source the ground.

Anyone have thoughts as to isolating the issue? I can't trust to use the ski in this condition.

-Thanks-

 

[GeekDad]

Figured I would follow up on this for anyone who might have a similar issue. Of the several grounds in the main electric box, it looks like the one that ties back to the engine block is through the 4 pin connector on top of the ignition box at the front of the engine (about 4" behind the battery). It was somewhat corroded so I separated, cleaned and buttered it with dielectric grease.

 

[JJinSC]

So did this resolve your issue?

 

[GeekDad]

Yes it did.

 

[JJinSC]

Ok, thanks for clarifying and sharing.

 

[etemplet]

I am fairly new to jet skis but not engines... I recently fought a spark no spark issue that was the trigger that connects to the same area. Mine was really dirty and I suspect that rust and junk piled up on the magnet stopped it from seeing the rotor position. My trigger tested good. Glad you find your problem.