96 GSX: No power, wont turn over - suggestions?

[Midmo]

I've got a 96 GSX. I haven't used it for over 2 years. The last time I had it on the water, the lanyard got pulled and when we put it back on - it wouldn't start (no double beep). It was in September and we didn't do anything with it other than haul it home. Been setting ever since.

Decided to try to get it running. Went and talked to the local dealership about the lanyard (they told me it could be a bad lanyard, bad post on the handlebar, or the computer). Checked my fuses in the front (all 3 - 5, 15, & 5 appear to be good).

The original owner of the jet ski had replaced the lanyard prior to selling it to me. Thought that might be the problem - but haven't bought a new one yet (about $75 to buy and program - don't want to spend it if it isn't going to work).

So I've bought a new battery (which is charged) and plugs. Put them in a little while ago. Tried to put it in Advanced Self Diagnostic mode (plug the lanyard in, unplug, hit start 5 times) and can't get any beeps.

Guages don't come on either. Won't turn over....completely dead.

I did have one wire that was missing the connecting end. It came out of the top of the electrical box in front of the battery (had the 2 spark plug wires, positive battery cable, and a fourth wire running to the engine). Dealership told me that it should be connnected to the negative post on the battery (which I went ahead and did).

Not sure what to do now? Really don't want to take it to the dealership and spend a bunch of money (unless I can get some kind of clue it's going to run by me messing around with it here at home).

What can I do//check?? THANKS!

 

[Midmo]

New questions below.

 

[Midmo]

I'm making progress but it's slow. Here is what I've found out recently.

I've got a volt meter and tested the DESS post. I've never used one of these before but I think the post is ok. Here is what I found:

With the lanyard unhooked I got a negative 180 when inserting the probes into the black & black/yellow wire. When I plugged a lanyard in - those wires went to 0. When touching the white/gray wire & the post terminal I get 0. I also get 0 when touching the black wire and the ring of the post. Leads me to believe the post is ok?

I've tested the front electical box with a test light. I've got power there too.

The battery shows 12 volts on the DC setting of the voltmeter. When I keep one post on the battery ground and touch the other to the post (with 2 small red wires and the bigger red wire running to the battery) on the starter relay I show 12 Volts. When I switch to the other post (with the bigger red wire that runs to the starter) I don't get anything - 0. Also shows the same results with the test light.

When I touch both posts at once on the starter relay with the testlight- it lights up green (negative polarity).

I've turned the engine over by touching both posts with a screwdriver (I get a spark when I do).

So that leads me to this questions for the moment:


1. Shouldn't I show some power coming out/off of the starter relay post?

THANKS!!