I realize this is a tough one but I need to start somewhere so… here goes. I have a 2004 GTI LE. Bought second hand in ’07. Two years ago it developed a problem that I’ve not been able to resolve. I’ve taken to two shops and they have been… worthless.
The ski will start just fine and run great. BUT, if I really hit a wave hard, jump a wake or slam it down, the engine dies. No sputter, just dead. There is no response from the key, all gauges flatline. Wait a bit, sometimes a minute, sometimes longer, put the key on and “usually” it beeps and starts on the first attempt. Sometimes, push the starter and all gauges flatline and no beep. Wait a minute, reinstall key and off we go as if nothing happened. It almost seems that something needs to reset (cool off?) before it starts, which would make me think MPEM, but what in the world could cause this? I should add that the POs had to replace the MPEM when the ski was still under warranty. They never told me but the local repair shop recognized the ski and told me what had happened. Wish they hadn’t cause then I started “looking” for problems.
My first attempt at fix focused on the key going bad OR the post. Thought maybe the jarring was breaking the contact with the post. Bought a new post, replaced the old post and it “seemed” that the problem went away. BUT, not so fast. Problem slowly started to reappear until now, it’s pretty much every ride.
I can deal with the problem (patience, patience), but others, who don’t know the ski cannot. Last weekend, someone borrowed the ski and burned up the starter (which was actually on its last leg anyway) trying to get it back to bank.
The starter has to be replaced or rebuilt, that’s a given, but while working on the ski, ANY suggestions on where to look for something that would cause the ski to die on impact, but start after a few minutes?
Thanks in advance!
TONY
The ski will start just fine and run great. BUT, if I really hit a wave hard, jump a wake or slam it down, the engine dies. No sputter, just dead. There is no response from the key, all gauges flatline. Wait a bit, sometimes a minute, sometimes longer, put the key on and “usually” it beeps and starts on the first attempt. Sometimes, push the starter and all gauges flatline and no beep. Wait a minute, reinstall key and off we go as if nothing happened. It almost seems that something needs to reset (cool off?) before it starts, which would make me think MPEM, but what in the world could cause this? I should add that the POs had to replace the MPEM when the ski was still under warranty. They never told me but the local repair shop recognized the ski and told me what had happened. Wish they hadn’t cause then I started “looking” for problems.
My first attempt at fix focused on the key going bad OR the post. Thought maybe the jarring was breaking the contact with the post. Bought a new post, replaced the old post and it “seemed” that the problem went away. BUT, not so fast. Problem slowly started to reappear until now, it’s pretty much every ride.
I can deal with the problem (patience, patience), but others, who don’t know the ski cannot. Last weekend, someone borrowed the ski and burned up the starter (which was actually on its last leg anyway) trying to get it back to bank.
The starter has to be replaced or rebuilt, that’s a given, but while working on the ski, ANY suggestions on where to look for something that would cause the ski to die on impact, but start after a few minutes?
Thanks in advance!
TONY
