2006 GTX SC Intermittent Starting

[mikenjlot]

I have a 2006 GTX SC that runs perfectly - when it runs! Early this spring, no issues. Now, it takes between 1 and 20 'pushes' on the 'Start/Stop' button to fire the engine. Once the starter engages, no problems - everything runs perfectly. I removed the 'Start/Stop' button to check if it was stuck, but no issue. With every push of the button, there is an audible click of the switch, but nothing else happens. The 'beep - beep' from the lanyard is normal. I haven't been able to establish any pattern, but it is annoying to have to try so many times to get the unit to start. Any ideas?

By the way, battery seems fine (new last year).

 

[KK40384]

Check your battery connections if you believe the battery to be good. If the connections are good I'd check the condition of the battery. What you are describing is either a bad connection or a battery that's dying.

 

[Andrew_lbreman]

Agreed, Also you may need to check the plug on the starter solenoid. Also the cables to the solenoid, you may have a bad solenoid. You should also put some dielectric grease on the electrical connectors to prevent further connection issues. What you describe is a connection or battery issue just like KK said.

 

[mikenjlot]

Thanks for the replies. I checked the battery connections and applied dielectric grease on the connectors. I have put the battery on a charger to see if that does the trick. I will know more in the morning after I give the battery 9 hours on the charger. If that fixes the issue, I will probably replace the battery just to avoid issues in the future.

In the meantime, I have found pictures of the solenoid on the web, but haven't located it in the engine compartment. Sorry! Any help / pictures available?

 

[ski-d00]

You need a new solenoid, that's all. It's mounted on the bracket next to the MPEM to the left of the battery. For some reason, the brown solenoids around the 06-08 years fail in a weird way. They will make the clicking sound so it sounds like it is working fine but they don't put voltage through them. They always click, but maybe 1 out of 10 times they put voltage through and start the engine. SeaDoo has since replaced the brown solenoid with a more reliable black one that is an all plastic sealed unit instead of the metal plate riveted version.

 

[mikenjlot]

Thanks for the reply, ski-d00. I have ordered a replacement solenoid. Will update once installed.

 

[Andrew_lbreman]

I agree with skidoo mostly. But I know I also have a fuse that if not getting a good connection (because of corrosion) will cause the same kind of issues. Also while dielectric grease is a good idea on all connections it should definitely be used on the plug in types that get sealed. Meaning there is a 2 wire plug on the solenoid that if corroded could be causing your issue as well and shouldn't be overlooked.

 

[Duane72]

Ski-Doo nailed it. It's a common issue. Had the same exact problem you described on an 05 RXT. Checked through everything, which never hurts anyway, but changed the solenoid and it cured it. Internal contacts in the solenoids wear out over time, just like any electrical relay will. Simple and inexpensive fix to a seriously annoying problem.