95 GTX Starting and Battery Question

[Watson91]

I have two questions so I figured I would compile as it's possible they run hand in hand.

I just bought the ski and the previous owner told me he has owned it for a year and rode it for most of the season. The low battery voltage light stays on all the time though, and he said this has always been the case for him. I test rode it when I picked it up and it fired and ran fine, no problems and yes the light stayed on. Didn't think much of it.

Now Sunday I decide to take it to the lake for the first time. I get it hooked to my truck and figure before I drive an hour I better make sure it will start. I try to start it she rolls over but wont fire. So I pull the choke try it again, this time it rolls over but not with as much umph. So I try it again and this time its just like nothing. So I figure low battery, I put the battery on the charger and after about 30 minutes still nothing. So i don't think much of it, just give up for the day and figure it needs to sit on the charger longer.

Today I try it after leaving it on the charger all night and today, now i just hear a click. The battery tests out to 12v and the starter shows its receiving 12v, so I'm a little confused as to what has happened. It went from running fine to not wanting to turn over a few days later. The starter never act like anything broke it just slowly quit working.

I guess I wonder first why the battery light is on when the battery is showing full charge, and second if the starter problem could be else where other than the starter. I think if I have read right the solenoid for the starter is in the electrical box located to the left of the battery. Could it possibly be bad there. I'm pretty new to jet ski engines and how they are set up so I'm not really sure what the issue is.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Dr Honda]

If it's always on... then the wire going to the gauge could be disconnected, or broken. If the battery is fully charged, and the engine isn't' charging... the light would be out until the voltage dropped.

As far as the starter... I would start with removing, and cleaning all the cable connections. If that doesn't' help... it's time to rebuild the starter. DON'T buy a crappy eBay starter. They are known to die quickly. If it's still the factory starter on it... take it apart, clean it, and replace the brushes.

A rebuild 20 year old factory starter is WAY better than an import hunk of junk.

 

[Watson91]

The light isn't on full time, but anytime the gauge is on the light is on (i.e. the key is put in and/or engine running). I wasn't sure if this may be a bad connection, or somehow leading to a bigger problem.

As for the starter, I plan on removing it, but wasn't sure if the solinoid (which i understand is in the electrical box to the left of the battery) would possibly be bad and not the starter. I have a friend who owns a shop that specializes in starter and altenator repairs so I will pull it and have him take a look at it.

 

[Watson91]

Well to put an end to the story, I got the starter back from the shop today. Payed 60 bucks for a total rebuild and replacement of everything on it. Reinstalled it, and it started right up without any issues. Very relieved.