951 Carb no crank

[Boyd12]

I have a 1999 XP. It was a basket case. I just installed the engine and when I plugged in the key, the gauges work but the bilge pump runs and doesnt stop. The engine does not crank. The solenoid was missing so I installed a new one. I checked the fuse in the ignition box and MPEM with a tester and both are good. Any ideas?

 

[mikidymac]

Do you get two beeps when the lanyard is attached?

 

[Boyd12]

It makes no sound at all.

 

[Boyd12]

Now it cranks over fairly well after a SLIGHT hesitation. On the bench it cranked over very quicklyl. The bilge pump still runs constantly.

 

[Boyd12]

I installed the battery in the hull and ran power directly to the starter. It cranked very quickly. I installed the spark plugs and it spun over faster than any boat I have ever owned.

I installed the battery in the hull and connected it to the cables. Without the spark plugs it cranked over OK, with the plugs in it, it wouldn’t hardly crank at all.

The bilge pump still runs constantly. I checked and the trim motor works fine.

When I jump it at the solenoid, it cranks VERY fast. Any ideas?

 

[mikidymac]

The 97+ XP has some of the longest battery cables of any PWC so with just a little corrosion or bad connections you get a big voltage drop that would cause your symptoms.
I would check all cables and connections really well. And the fun thing is the cables corrode from the inside out so it’s hard to see.
Westside Powersports Seadoo makes custom heavy cables for there if you decide to replace them.

 

[Boyd12]

I thought it was the negative cable. So I cleaned the cables and tested them. They seem to test OK. Would internal corrosion cause a resistance issue?
The issue with the bilge pump really has me concerned. Do you think that could be caused by a bad MPEM?

 

[mikidymac]

The bilge pump should cycle when the battery is connected and then turn off. It should then run whenever the ski is running or cranking if I remember correctly.

Yes internal corrosion will definitely cause issues. A bad battery can also cause your symptoms and even new batteries have been known to be bad. A friend of mine has a 97 XP that had the same issues and I kept saying battery. It was a brand new Walmart NeverStart so he replaced the cables and starter and same issue. So I brought over my used Yuasa battery and it fired right up.

 

[Boyd12]

I ran a wire directly from the negative post on the battery to the engine ground and it cranks fine. It is the cable even though it tested good! Thank you for your help!
I still am concerned about the bilge pump running constantly!