1999 GTX Limited 12volt low message..

[rogerpo]

I just bought this Seadoo and it has been sitting for a year. We charged up the battery and took it out last weekend. It runs great, just that after about 5 minutes of riding the 12volt low and red flashing light comes on. My local dealer is telling me just replace the battery as the charging is a trickle charge at best. I look at the repair manual and it seems to say I should be getting 13volts when it is running. The dealer says a bad battery can draw the system down, so I am going to put a new battery in first, since the current battery does not hold a charge.

After replacing the battery what should I see in terms of voltage output when running?

How can I start troubleshooting the charging system? The repair manual shows how to check the stator windings, but it requires a special tool to do that. I have checked all the fuses.

Help please as I dont want to throw money at this Seadoo.

 

[rotaxrule1]

Typically you should see 13-14.5 volts in most situations when running, higher the rpms the higher the charge. It should not be much more than 14.5 max though. Try replacing the battery like you said, then post back your findings with a voltmeter

 

[seadooya]

volt test the battery while holding a rpm level at 5500rpm. If in the 12 or 15's, then your rectifier is bad. UUnfortunetly, the rectifier is located/built into the mpem, so if its the rectifier, i know a supplier that has the kit to install an external assy....

 

[rogerpo]

GTX 12 volt low

Thanks for the advice - I sure hope its a battery. The previous owners said the ski ran great a year ago...... I am aware of the external rectifier. I was also told to check the stator but not sure if I am doing this correctly or not. I pulled the connector #2 from the MPEM and there are 3 yellow wires across the top. Looking at the inside of the connector there are 3 spade connectors. Left Center Right

Center Right has a reading
Left Center no reading
Left rigth no reading

 

[seadooya]

pm-ing you....

Manual states, how to test the wires and its readings...10 buks and you got access to it, download it, then cancell your order...

 

[rogerpo]

low Voltage

Well replaced the battery - 12.8 volts engine off or running no change.......

 

[rogerpo]

Low Voltage

So my local seadoo mechanic tells me batteries need to be replace every year. He told me that as long as the battery voltage does not drop from the initial state 12.8 volts in my case (new battery) significantly that the charging system is doing what is needed to keep the battery up. I ran the seadoo on a hose for 15 minutes with no error condition. The voltage would drop to 12.71 and stay there. If the charging system was having a problem he says the voltage would be dropping since the power is coming directly from the battery.

Since i have no way of troubleshooting the stator at this point in time I am wondering if I will just kill this battery.

Come on now there must be a way to validate that the unit is charging even if it's a trickle charge right?

thanks in advance

 

[seadooya]

double check your grounds/leads for corrosion or wear.

Do you buy your batteries from him?

 

[rogerpo]

Low voltage

I did check the grounds - when I put the GD on the battery I got a small spark - I assume there is a small load on the battery at all times?

I was going to go to the local store and get an inductive ammeter - the manual states 5 amps charge for the 947. That should be conclusive right?

 

[XARiUS]

i got a similar issue with my 96 gti, i changed batt and get 13 or so when running i still have a battery light and low fuel light on the infocenter, im thinking bad voltage regulator. need help on other causes, checked grounds

 

[rogerpo]

Low Voltage

Okay with an inductive ammeter I am charge 1.5 amps at about 3000 RPM - the book says it should be closer to 5 amps for the 947 engine.

 

[seadooya]

sounds like the rectifier went south.

 

[voodoo]

A way that I use is leave the ski on the trailer and dip in the last side ramp, this way you can run the motor and have cooling, put the voltemeter at the battery and lift the throttle a bit to get all the juices flowing, the battery voltage should increase but not exceed 14.5, the amps drawn will be a reflection of the battery condition - a weakened battery would draw more from the charging coils than a potent one - the regulator regulates this - this is why you want to lift the throttle a bit to see it regulate alive.
As you might guess you can also observe any liquid leaks and feel the warmth of cooling water, if you see something tighten it or pull out to the parking lot and dip again to be sure you need to go home to fix whatever is found, this saves a lot of breakdown drama and gives you a chance to test the integrity without paddling back to shore.

 

[rogerpo]

Low voltage

Well I measured the ohms across the stator at the MPEM connector #2 and only 1 pair measured correctly. So this appears to be the trouble. Hopefully the rectifier is okay since I do get some voltage.....

 

[martymrgrin]

yellow wires.

Thanks for the advice - I sure hope its a battery. The previous owners said the ski ran great a year ago...... I am aware of the external rectifier. I was also told to check the stator but not sure if I am doing this correctly or not. I pulled the connector #2 from the MPEM and there are 3 yellow wires across the top. Looking at the inside of the connector there are 3 spade connectors. Left Center Right

Center Right has a reading
Left Center no reading
Left rigth no reading

I had the same problem. When checking the 3 yellow wires at the MPEM, check all 3, individually, with a voltmeter to ground. You should have no reading. Then check from yellow wire to yellow wire. You should read from .5 ohms to 1.2 ohms. You need to check yellow wires 1&2, 1&3,and 2&3. If you have no reading on either of the 3 yellow wires, the stator is bad. I have had to replace a stator in both of my 99 GTX, and that was the test. The stator corrected the problem, low voltage light is out, and they are charging correctly.

Hope that helps.

 

[bmocken]

When you took it to the Dealer did you have them clear the codes? My 98 GSX has a 12 V low code that comes up when I start my ski and it was caused by a loose ground terminal on the battery. I checked the battery and charging system and didnt have any issues. I called my local service dept and asked if the codes would clear if the battery is disconected and his reply was nope you have to bring it in and we can clear all the codes. Now I have not taken it in yet to have the code cleared but if what I was told is correct and you are trying to get rid of the 12 V low you may not be able to until the code is cleared and may be wasting your time troubleshooting something that is already fixed.