1997 GTX intermittent start

[DWH5150]

Hi everyone - my wife just purchased a 1997 seadoo GTX, untested, owner swore it worked , etc, etc- lol. Very clean machine. So I fixed all the silly things they did and got it back to factory specs. Ran great no problem. Then I discovered am intermittent start problem, would start sometimes, come back a few minutes later, nothing, not even waking the dash. So after a 2 day test of every single inch of wire and connector I found that if I remove the connector that runs from just outside the control module to the solenoid/ignition coil and plug it right back in that it starts up fine without fail. Then after a few minutes same thing dead. I am wondering if anyone has seen this and maybe I am just not catching what is up. Cheers

 

[AKnarrowback]

Is it an OEM starter?

I had an after market starter in mine and had it start one minute and not not work the next then work a half hour later...... I put in an OEM denso starter and have never had a problem since.

If it is OEM think about putting some new brushes in, cleang up the commutator clean out any crud and wipe down the inside.

 

[DWH5150]

Yes OEM starter , it is in great shape, I can always “see” it through the wiring harness and can trigger it anytime from the coil. The machine was apparently power washed inside so there is very little dirt in the hull or on the engine. I dried every connector and retensioned them.

 

[Ckrawiec]

Hi everyone - my wife just purchased a 1997 seadoo GTX, untested, owner swore it worked , etc, etc- lol. Very clean machine. So I fixed all the silly things they did and got it back to factory specs. Ran great no problem. Then I discovered am intermittent start problem, would start sometimes, come back a few minutes later, nothing, not even waking the dash. So after a 2 day test of every single inch of wire and connector I found that if I remove the connector that runs from just outside the control module to the solenoid/ignition coil and plug it right back in that it starts up fine without fail. Then after a few minutes same thing dead. I am wondering if anyone has seen this and maybe I am just not catching what is up. Cheers

Based on your description....I'd say you might have some internal corrosion inside that connection OR the "female/socket" side of the connector is just a hair oversized and is making intermittant contact......have you tried spraying contact cleaner in there OR pulling the terminal sockets OUT and giving them a little squeeze? I believe there are special tools available to remove the connector pins and sockets (can't think of the name of it right now....brain freeze).

 

[DWH5150]

Hi - yeah that’s what I figured so I tested every connector and cleaned and retensioned (tightened)them, wiggle test etc, same thing, disconnect/reconnect and it is up for a few minutes then dead, looking at the wiring diagram it is pointing towards the control module, if it wasn’t for that big block of epoxy I could fix it- lol

 

[DWH5150]

Actually got down to the 5amp fuse in the module, pull it out and put it back in and everything is fine, for a start and then dead

 

[Ckrawiec]

Actually got down to the 5amp fuse in the module, pull it out and put it back in and everything is fine, for a start and then dead

SOMETIMES...for no rhyme or reason the electrics in these skis are just the most frustrating GD thing in the world! NO LIE! I feel your pain. Patience and good luck.

 

[DWH5150]

Lol - thanks- I am leaning towards the lanyard system as it is feed by the 5amp

 

[DWH5150]

Love to hear how anyone has removed the epoxy, I am going to hit it with some heat then acetone then styrene- lol - 1997 components can’t be that hard to troubleshoot if I could see them

 

[JJinSC]

This may be a silly question but want to eliminate this possibility. You are removing the lanyard between each attempt aren't you?

 

[DWH5150]

Yes, if I don’t take it out it will start every time, take it out game is over dead, pull the 5 amp fuse put it back and everything works again

 

[DWH5150]

It did not beep previously and now it has audible beep, can even get it into self diagnosis mode and it says all good waiting for lanyard, plug it in and back to the same circle

 

[etemplet]

SOMETIMES...for no rhyme or reason the electrics in these skis are just the most frustrating GD thing in the world! NO LIE! I feel your pain. Patience and good luck.

You got that right. Sneaky bastages.

 

[brian303k]

Did you ever get a fix for this DWH? I am having the exact same issue on a 96 XP and it is driving me nuts. I just want to ride a few more times before winter hits!

 

[GGuillot]

Yes, if I don’t take it out it will start every time, take it out game is over dead, pull the 5 amp fuse put it back and everything works again

Sounds ground related. Sometimes corrosion gets in that MAG housing and causes grounding issues, check that plug on the front of the engine and all the bolts for corrosion where the halves come together. That little ground on that plug feeds back through the engine to complete the ground loop and the ski is completely dead if it's not making good continuity.