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1997 gsx electrical issue

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csmelone

csmelone

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I have a 1997 gsx that I can't seem to figure out whats wrong. The previous owner didn't winterize it and one of the jugs was cracked so I put a new top end in it with new jugs. I put it away running fine at the end of the season last year. I try to start it and it just clicks. It kind of cranks a bit without the plugs in for a second but then just clicks. I removed the starter and cleaned it up, it works fine. I jumped the solenoid and it still clicks. The motor turns over by hand. I cleaned up the connections to the battery and the starter. The battery is new and I can confirm its good. Not sure what to check next.
 
If it turns over by hand then it has to be electrical.

Try jumping the two big posts on the solenoid and see if it turns over. That will eliminate the starter, cables and battery if it does.
 
mikidymac said:
If it turns over by hand then it has to be electrical.

Try jumping the two big posts on the solenoid and see if it turns over. That will eliminate the starter, cables and battery if it does.
Click to expand...

I already tried that and it doesn't turn over
 
GGuillot said:
Could be a poor ground, but I'd lean on it being a weak or bad starter. Keep the OEM, you can rebuild it for about $20 and restore its strength.
Click to expand...

I checked the ground and cleaned all contact points. Not sure if the starter oem or not. The previous owner claimed they had it replaced a year before I bought it
 
csmelone said:
I checked the ground and cleaned all contact points. Not sure if the starter oem or not. The previous owner claimed they had it replaced a year before I bought it
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If it was replaced with an aftermarket that's likely the problem, they normally don't last more than a season if that. The OEM can be identified as white with a Denso sticker on it.
 
GGuillot said:
If it was replaced with an aftermarket that's likely the problem, they normally don't last more than a season if that. The OEM can be identified as white with a Denso sticker on it.
Click to expand...

its white but i dont remember seeing a sticker. I took it out already and tested it and it worked fine. can they still work out of the ski but then fail under load?
 
csmelone said:
its white but i dont remember seeing a sticker. I took it out already and tested it and it worked fine. can they still work out of the ski but then fail under load?
Click to expand...

It may seem fine, but it could be weak under load. I had two side by side once off my skis when rebuilding them, one would make the bendix jump out and stay there, the other seemed slower. I rebuilt both anyway. I do that when in doubt, just as a piece of mind to not get stuck out on the lake.
 
csmelone said:
Are the aftermarket starters complete junk or can you rebuild them with an oem kit?
Click to expand...
I've never heard of anybody rebuilding an aftermarket starter.....you're still better off getting a used OEM and rebuilding that. Word is they're all junk, rebuilding it wouldn't change that.
 
Ive heard mixed emotions on sbt starters...However if its easy to get to and has a warranty the option is there. However if it has a b-factor involved I would go oem...But it your ski
 
If you let a battery sit for more than a month, it is probably toast. Starters are very easy to bench test. Sbt starters are just fine. They are Japanese just like the OEM. The hard part is the removal/replacement. If you put a new top end on it, did you look into the bottom end? There is most likely a lot of debris down there..
 
davidrotax68 said:
Sbt starters are just fine.
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If they're just fine then why do so many people have problems with them failing? How can you tell they're Japanese? Maybe something got better with them from the SBT supplier, but over the last few years we've seen many failures with aftermarket starters.
 
GGuillot said:
If they're just fine then why do so many people have problems with them failing? How can you tell they're Japanese? Maybe something got better with them from the SBT supplier, but over the last few years we've seen many failures with aftermarket starters.
Click to expand...
If your Sea-Doo is eating starter motors, then that is saying something. The OEM is a Nippondenso. Either the engine is locked up, or the pump is locked up. If your boat is having hard starting issues, then a starter will only last one season. My '96 GTX(787) is on it's original starter! SBT fully warrants their starters for 6 months, against manufacturing defects, no questions asked. But when it is disassembled the truth comes out. There's no mistaking an overloaded starter, which usually indicates an underlying starting issue, or something "dragging" in the engine or the pump. It also helps to start the boat out of the water before it goes in the water. (Less drag). In the end it is a lot of speculation. A thorough, quality diagnosis is called for..
 
davidrotax68 said:
If your Sea-Doo is eating starter motors, then that is saying something. The OEM is a Nippondenso. Either the engine is locked up, or the pump is locked up. If your boat is having hard starting issues, then a starter will only last one season. My '96 GTX(787) is on it's original starter! SBT fully warrants their starters for 6 months, against manufacturing defects, no questions asked. But when it is disassembled the truth comes out. There's no mistaking an overloaded starter, which usually indicates an underlying starting issue, or something "dragging" in the engine or the pump. It also helps to start the boat out of the water before it goes in the water. (Less drag). In the end it is a lot of speculation. A thorough, quality diagnosis is called for..
Click to expand...

I've never used an aftermarket starter on my skis. Are you running an aftermarket SBT starter and had good success? If so, how long?... And no, I never start my skis out the water on the trailer then push off into the water, how would I do that with my 96' GSX?

BTW - SBT can keep their starters if they only warranty for 6 months.....I'll stick with the OEM.

So, you didn't answer, how can you tell the SBT starters are Japanese made like the OEM?
 
I have seen at least 5 SBT starters go out on perfectly running engines that switched to used OEM and haven’t had a single issue.

Don’t be fooled the SBT are not OEM quality. The bendix breaks, the bearings lock up and I have even seen the main shaft break.

Maybe a few locked up engines have taken out starters but 9 out of 10 times it’s the actual aftermarket starters that fail very quickly. And typically the only part that wears out on OEM are the brushes and new brushes fix them for $20.
 
GGuillot said:
I've never used an aftermarket starter on my skis. Are you running an aftermarket SBT starter and had good success? If so, how long?... And no, I never start my skis out the water on the trailer then push off into the water, how would I do that with my 96' GSX?

BTW - SBT can keep their starters if they only warranty for 6 months.....I'll stick with the OEM.

So, you didn't answer, how can you tell the SBT starters are Japanese made like the OEM?
Click to expand...
As a professional watercraft technician for over 30 years, as well as a technical training instructor for Bombardier Motor Corp, I am a stickler for OEM parts. Most of my customers opt for the cheaper way out, against professional advice. In comes the SBT starter, Or the WSM unit. Most of them are reconditioned, and not new, unbekownst to the customer. The watercraft itself as well as it's components, are carefully engineered to operate in severe conditions under heavy load.
As far as starting it up momentarily on the launch ramp, is perfectly harmless. It would be giving that poor starter motor a break.
Most of my customers don't know any better than to keep cranking and cranking and cranking until it either starts, or stops turning altogether. That's kinda why we go through a lot of start/stop switches as well...,
 
davidrotax68 said:
As a professional watercraft technician for over 30 years, as well as a technical training instructor for Bombardier Motor Corp, I am a stickler for OEM parts. Most of my customers opt for the cheaper way out, against professional advice. In comes the SBT starter, Or the WSM unit. Most of them are reconditioned, and not new, unbekownst to the customer. The watercraft itself as well as it's components, are carefully engineered to operate in severe conditions under heavy load.
As far as starting it up momentarily on the launch ramp, is perfectly harmless. It would be giving that poor starter motor a break.
Most of my customers don't know any better than to keep cranking and cranking and cranking until it either starts, or stops turning altogether. That's kinda why we go through a lot of start/stop switches as well...,
Click to expand...

So you’re saying the SBT and WSM starters are remanufactured? Or reman engines?
 
davidrotax68 said:
As a professional watercraft technician for over 30 years, as well as a technical training instructor for Bombardier Motor Corp, I am a stickler for OEM parts. Most of my customers opt for the cheaper way out, against professional advice. In comes the SBT starter, Or the WSM unit. Most of them are reconditioned, and not new, unbekownst to the customer. The watercraft itself as well as it's components, are carefully engineered to operate in severe conditions under heavy load.
As far as starting it up momentarily on the launch ramp, is perfectly harmless. It would be giving that poor starter motor a break.
Most of my customers don't know any better than to keep cranking and cranking and cranking until it either starts, or stops turning altogether. That's kinda why we go through a lot of start/stop switches as well...,
Click to expand...
 
Most of them are cheaply refurbished. But almost all of them are chinese knock offs. Sea- Doo's are extremely temperamental. I urge the owner to use only OEM parts and lubricants. Aftermarket starters are not worth the effort to install. Using TCW-III for example is a huge no no. I've seen so many failures because of this mistake, even though I told them over and over to read their owner's manual and do exactly as it says. Run only Rotax petroleum based oil in the 787's. Use only OEM gaskets. OEM impeller housings. The last thing I suggest is using any SBT or WSM part or my labor warranty will be void..
 
GGuillot said:
Well, that's completely different than what you said above...and I quote "Sbt starters are just fine. They are Japanese just like the OEM."
Click to expand...
You know, over the years I've had very few problems with SBT/ WSM starter motors. I have no complaint. I already know that they are of a lower quality. For me, 9 times out of 10, most of the time the reason for failure has been either abuse, or improper assembly/installation. (Failure to inspect the teeth on the starter ring gear). Seldom do I see them actually wear out ! Naturally they will wear out over time, but that is when it is time to replace it with a brand new OEM unit. I refuse to rebuild them. They never seem to last as long as a new one, then you'll have an enraged customer knocking down your door. That is why I always disclaim the difference between an OEM starter and an aftermarket.
 
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