2003 XP DI Speed Sensor

[falcain]

I have an 2003 951 XP-DI that has speedometer issues. Both the digital and regular speedometer jump all over the place while I'm riding at higher speeds. It's a little less jumpy at slower speeds, but still has issues.

First question would be, does this sound like an issue with the speed sensor itself? If so, is there a way to test the sensor to verify it is faulty?

Second question, what years and models have interchangeable sensors with an 03 XP-DI? New sensors are over $150, so I would like to search for a functional used one at a more affordable price.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dr Honda]

The OEM speedo's all suck on seadoo. The little paddle wheel is a bad design. Rough water, or a little sand/dirt in the shaft will cause to to jump, or read wrong.

I would start with making sure the wheel is clean, and lubed with a plastic safe oil. Then... use compressed air to spin up the wheel, and see if it runs smooth on the trailer. (engine off) If that checks... then start the engine, and try it again. If it gets jumpy with the engine on... then the regulator/rectifier could be going bad.

If it's jumpy with the engine off... I would say the sender is going bad. (But that doesn't happen very often)

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

mine was the sender. $140ish later it works 100%

it's actually only 2-3 mph off at 60 vs. my handheld GPS.

 

[Dr Honda]

..

it's actually only 2-3 mph off at 60 vs. my handheld GPS.

Until the bushing in the paddle wheel starts to wear again. (lol)

I'm actually ready to pull the speedo from my XP, and replace it with a tach. (A number I'm more interested in)


Polaris did it right. They put a pitot tube in the pump tunnel to get water pressure. That system is more reliable for the speedo. (no moving parts) The worst thing that happens is once in a while... something will cover the tube, and the speedo goes to zero. All you have to do is stop for a second... and the junk falls off, and the speedo works again.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

maybe. GPS is still the best of the best. those tubes clog and then they don't work very well.

GPS has no moving parts, is much more accurate, isn't affected by river / water flow, and has no drag on the boat...

only down side is, obviously, cost, but that's come down a lot in recent years.

all the new SEA-DOOs are GPS speedos, I believe