1998 Seadoo GS sometimes requires reset by removing and replacing 15 amp fuse and other weird behavior

[CaptainKirk]

I recently purchased a 1998 GS. It generally runs well but has some strange behaviors that look like some kind of short or electrical malfunction.
This model has no VTS and has only 2 active fuses in the front. A 5 amp for the module and a 15 amp for the battery.
I have never done anything with the 5 amp fuse.

I have only taken the GS out for about 6 hours but I have noticed this:

1. Occasionally will not start without pulling the 15 amp battery fuse out and putting it back in.

2. It can occasionally die when running and then I have to pull and replace the fuse to get it started again. Rare, but I'm pretty sure it happened once over the 6 hours. It may have been the key getting loose. Lanyard is a bit short. but I think at least once it was not the key.

3. When putting the 15 amp fuse back in with the safety tether attached ... the starter will turn over once.

4. When putting the 15 amp fuse back in without the safety tether attached ... I hear a click.

5. When I leave the tether attached when not running it can drain the battery. (is that normal?)

6. It had a 20 amp fuse instead of a 15 amp .... making me think it might blow a 15 amp fuse. I haven't had a chance to run it in the water with a 15 amp fuse but did not blow when running for 30 seconds on dry land.

Otherwise it seems to start and run very well.


Anybody got any ideas what could cause this?

 

[mikidymac]

First I wouldn't remove or connect fuses with the lanyard connected.

I would see if removing an reattaching the lanyard allows it to start again instead of the fuse.

It's pretty common when a DESS post that the lanyard attaches to goes bad to cause your symptoms.

 

[CaptainKirk]

Thanks mikidymac.
Hadn't even thought of that. I will explore that possibility.

 

[CaptainKirk]

I got a chance to take it out twice. The first time ... I got it out of the marina and it would not get out of the hole and then after turning off it would not start again. I don't think the battery was drained but it would just do one starter turn and then stop. I replaced the battery and it seemed like for a couple of days I could go out and start it just fine. I checked the wear ring and the carbon seal. They looked ok. I got it out on the water again and it would not get out of the hole and started having the same starter issue again. I stuck with it and I got it to start again and after puttering around in the hole for about ten minutes ... bam! ... the engine came alive and I was able get on plane and go full speed. I was able to zoom around for at least 1/2 hour. Turn it off and start it again. Starter worked normally. Then while making a high speed run and it just suddenly would not go again. I limped back to the marina entrance and turned it off. Back to the 1 turn starter thing.
Pulling the 15 amp fuse and reinserting it did not seem to help this time.

I seems like something is marginal. The engine just stops starting and running at full power randomly.

My thoughts:
1. I'm thinking a bad electrical part or possibly a connection. My first suspect is the rectifier Could a bad rectifier cause any of this?
2. Can weak spark cause the motor to not run at full power but still run?
3. I didn't notice any loose wires but I will look closer. After rectifier and wires ... there is the module and then the magneto. Can coils be marginal? work well sometimes and then not work so well? Anything else?
4. Fuel line or carb issues could explain some of it but it just seems too sudden of a change for that and there seems to be correlation with the starter issue and the power issue.
5. I did have a time when it would not start and then by "resetting" the 15 amp fuse it started. Just removing the dess key and putting it back did not help. I think the DESS post is not my first suspect. It seems to be functioning ok. Always tries to start when it the key is on. Am I wrong to think that?
6. None of my gauges work and there is no beeping at all. Could that play a role?

 

[mwat65]

Check/clean all connectors and grounds. Use dialectic grease on everything. Also test your charging system. If it will run on the hose test battery at 4000 rpms. You should be getting 13.5 to 14 volts. Also test battery when cranking and at rest. It sounds a lot like a ground issue.