1997 Spx no click no start

[Cheflen]

Ok so I’ve been having trouble with my newly acquired 97 Spx. Bought it knowing that it didn’t start. The PO put a UMI handlebar on it and they just cut the wiring for the beeper, just ordered a new beeper with plug. When I put the key on to start it, the gauges light up, hit the start button and no click from the solenoid or anything. I pulled the rear e-box out and saw it had taken on water at some point and rusted. When jumping the solenoid the starter cranks. I have replaced the solenoid with no change. I took apart all the connections in the rear box and cleaned them all up, all the fuses are good, they seemed a little corroded so I will be buying new fuses but they were still intact and not broken. When I cleaned everything in the rear e-box and put it all together I thought I heard the starter turn for a split second but it gave up after that, and still absolutely nothing happens when hitting the start button now.
I tested the start button itself by leaving the key off, hitting the start button twice and the gauges lit up.
One thing that is eating me alive while at work is thinking that the possible cause could be that I only put one of the grounding bolts into the solenoid if that makes any sense. I don’t think they are grounding bolts because I’m pretty sure it’s just plastic, but they are the two bolts on the solenoid that hold it to the rear e-box, I only have one of them on, it’s the outside one. I don’t think this will make a difference but I just want to put everything out there.

So recap.
No start no click
New solenoid
Cleaned rear e-box connections
Rear Fuses good
Start button works
Starter turns when jumping solenoid

 

[mikidymac]

We know the MPEM is waking up because pressing the start button brings up the gauges.

Without a working beeper you don't know if the DESS is recognizing the lanyard. Sounds like maybe the lanyard and/or kill switch is not letting it start.

 

[Cheflen]

Well I’m glad it’s (probably) not the mpem as I wasn’t ready for that price tag.
Yes it has the dess key and post. But I figured that would be okay as the gauges do light up when it is connected. Is it possible that they light up even if the key isn’t recognized?

 

[mikidymac]

Yes, even with the wrong key it will wake up the MPEM. Without the beeper you will not know what it is doing.

 

[Cheflen]

Well I’m glad it’s (probably) not the mpem as I wasn’t ready for that price tag.
Yes it has the dess key and post. But I figured that would be okay as the gauges do light up when it is connected. Is it possible that they light up even if the key isn’t recognized?

 

[Cheflen]

Ok so can I have the key re-programmed or should I get a new key and have it programmed

 

[Cheflen]

The beeper is on its way so that will help. I’ll try taking the beeper from one of my other skis. What beeps should tell me what? Just need the two beeps?

 

[mikidymac]

I wouldn't do anything until you find out what beeps it is giving you.

Two fast beeps means that it recognizes the lanyard and is ready to start.

One long beep means it doesn't recognize the lanyard and will not let it start.

 

[Cheflen]

I wouldn't do anything until you find out what beeps it is giving you.

Two fast beeps means that it recognizes the lanyard and is ready to start.

One long beep means it doesn't recognize the lanyard and will not let it start.

Thank you, I’ll take the beeper from one of my skis tonight or tomorrow and report back. If it doesn’t recognize the key would having it re-programmed work?

 

[mikidymac]

It would either be that or the DESS post.

THe lanyard is programmed to the MPEM not the post.

 

[Cheflen]

It would either be that or the DESS post.

THe lanyard is programmed to the MPEM not the post.

Ok that makes sense, I knew it was programmed to the mpem but I wasn’t sure if I could rule out the dess post since the gauges lit up from inserting the key, but I see how it can NOT recognize it

 

[Cheflen]

Alright now I’m getting confused. Put the beeper on. Now when I put the key on I get the two short beeps. Hit the start button nothing happens

 

[Cheflen]

If I hit the start button 5 times, it gives one short beep then a long beep. When I go over to my running 96 gsx that does the same thing

 

[Cheflen]

Swapped dess posts with my 96 xp with no change, still just 2 short beeps and nothing when I hit the start button

 

[Cheflen]

So I pulled the e-box apart. The fuses are good, and luckily no water intrusion here. I do see 3 connectors that aren’t connected to anything. The red wire and blue/gray colored wire have plugs in them, I’m not sure if this is factory. The brown wire with the blue stripe has no plug and isn’t connected to anything

 

[Cheflen]

So even after putting a new battery in it I can’t even get a click from the solenoid. I’m not sure what else to try since it seems like it recognizes the key

 

[mikidymac]

Have you tried replacing the solenoid?
Or atleast see if the solenoid trigger wire gets power when you push the start button?

 

[Cheflen]

Yes new solenoid, I haven’t tried the trigger wire. Just pull the plug on it and put a volt meter to it when pressing the button? What could it be if the trigger wire doesn’t get power?

 

[mikidymac]

I would unfortunately be leaning towards MPEM.

Although it seems to be doing what it should, other than not starting.

 

[Cheflen]

Yep that’s what I would figure, it seems like everything else is working

 

[Cheflen]

So I just put a good used mpem from @Minnetonka4me and it’s still doing the same thing. Put the key on the gauges light up and nothing happens when I push the start button. No click or anything

 

[matt.born]

I programmed my key when theirs happened and it worked. Find someone local with candoo pro. They shouldn’t charge if the key is already programmed

 

[Cheflen]

I programmed my key when theirs happened and it worked. Find someone local with candoo pro. They shouldn’t charge if the key is already programmed

I thought nicks keys always came programmed?

 

[matt.born]

Oops soory didn’t see that part and I’m sure they do.

 

[Cheflen]

I’d hate to bump this but I’m lost at what to do and I’m not sure if I should return the mpem