96 GTX Run Issue

[etemplet]

Ahhhh..... well.... it started right up last night and again to day. Then I shut it down and it wouldn't start. Then it chose to start... now it won't start. LOL So, I've been checking.

It cranks but won't start and I am sure it isn't a fuel issue. When it decides to start it starts immediately and it runs as long as you leave it run. Shut it off and i will not restart.

So, I did a lot of checks and cleaning in the back by the battery, solenoid, coil, etc... I don't think I'm getting power to the coil to make the spark but it turns over just fine.

I am not getting a beep when I install the Key. I am trying to figure out where the power comes in to the front section of the wiring so far I have not found the point. I see a relay that I'd like to check but don't know where it is located.

Question, since it runs when it wants to.... could it be the electronics? I am more of the mind that something is telling the electronics not to provide power to run.

 

[etemplet]

Could this be a damaged Dess key issue ?? The key is cracked and I had to make a repair. The machine turns over and runs when it wants to. As for the instrument panel... I haven't gotten that far to see what works. The tach does but info center doesn't look to healthy. I don't get noises or lights when I install the Dess Key.

 

[jjsinaz]

If you do not get the two short beeps whenever you put the DESS key on but it cranks when you press the start/stop button, then the beeper is probably bad. They do go bad. You can buy a suitable replacement at Radio Shack. Also, whenever you put the DESS key an, the info center should come to life and the low oil, low fuel and overtemp red LEDs should turn on. Is that happening?

 

[jjsinaz]

That relay you're talking about is in the gray e box up in the front of the ski. I had a bad one in mine. Symptoms were; sometimes it would start and run fine, sometimes it would crank and not start (no spark) sometimes whenever I'd put the key on I'd get 4 long beeps and nothing else would happen. Of course if your beeper is bad, you will not get any beeps. Verify whether or not it is good or bad by connecting it to 12v and see if it beeps. If it is bad, replace it before continuing troubleshooting

The purpose of that relay is to supply or interrupt power to the CDI system.

 

[etemplet]

So my ski should BEEP with the installation of the Key then. Cool. I sure am learning a lot about this ski. I don't like troubleshooting electronics and I'm gonna have to learn to read my ohm meter a bit better. I am looking for a problem or component that will interrupt the power to the coil as i know the reason for the no start is no fire. When it decides to work if fires right up and doesn't kill. I just go it running yesterday after purchase and a carb fuel system rebuild. I thought I had it as it fired right up.

I am also going to check my grounds and give them a cleaning.

I asked about the 5 amp fuse in the MPEM. I don't know how to remove the cover and don't want to damage anything. Every other fuse I checked was good.

My info center does not work and nothing lights up. The tach did read when I started the engine and adjusted the carb idle.

 

[etemplet]

I just noticed you have the same ski I do. Color and all but yours is better looking. LOL

 

[jjsinaz]

Thanks for the compliment. It took some work to get it looking that good again, but it was worth it. It's a great ski.

That beeper is located under the handle bar cover. I just bought a cheap one at Radio Shack to replace mine and it works fine. The beeper is useful in troubleshooting because it will beep differently to identify certain problems. That's why I suggest you get a new one.

That relay you are looking for is in the gray electrical box up front on the port side of the ski. Remove the storage compartment and it's right there. Open it up and you will see 4 different components.1)Rectifier-a square aluminum thing with three yellow wires and one red wire 2) a larger black box with a whole bunch of wires coming out of it (MPEM) 3)a smaller black box with two red wires, a purple and a black wire-this is the relay. 4) on the opposite cover is the CDI unit.

The easiest way to check the relay is to pull it out and connect your ohm meter across the two red wires and then apply 12v DC to the purple and black wires. The 12v will cause the relay to close and the ohm meter should read very close to zero ohms. Remove and reapply the 12v several times and watch the ohm meter. It should return to near zero every time you apply the 12v. If not, the relay is bad. I just bought a used one on flea bay and it fixed my problem

 

[etemplet]

Cool. I am going to start with the relay today. I might get some pointers from you on how to get my ski looking good. My plan is to paint the forward cover and the handle bar cover. The front cover has some scratches in it that took the paint off. That is for another day of course.... gotta get this ski operational and reliable.

 

[etemplet]

Hold Out relay tested OK when I connected the power. It closed the circuit. I got a bit head of myself. When I tested the resistance between the black and purple wire it was all over the place including "open". When I moved the relay or tapped it lightly the resistance changed. I have 2 meters and i can never figure out what it is reading in because I generally on use it to test voltage and check circuits open or closed.
Anyway.... thoughts on this. This hold out relay, if bad, will stop the ignition circuit... so I believe.

I am waiting to hear about the 5 amp fuse check and where it is located. Here is my question... "is this the fuse? " The book says it is but I am afraid to pry it open.

 

[etemplet]

Running tests... the DC CDI numbers are horrible. Only 3 out of 14 check out, the rest are way way off. I guess I got the correct test sheet. Yikes !! The ski did run.... started right up after I rebuilt the carbs. Ran the next day when I started it to adjust the carbs. Go figure.

 

[dieselndoo]

Pull the clamps back and pop off the fuse covers. Think your problem is the dess post

 

[etemplet]

Pull the clamps back and pop off the fuse covers. Think your problem is the dess post

The Dess post would make sense and make me happy but I checked the key and post previously. Remove what clamps and pop of which fuses?

The checks on the DC CDI as you know are done with the unit disconnected so.... I'm guessing the unit is bad and needs to be replaced. Also, I checked all of the fuses visually and with the meter to make sure they were good.

The dess post, I checked the ring, the top contact, and the wires. Everything worked as it should. i installed the key and the unit performed satisfactorily.

I still have a question about the fuses on the MPEM the 5 and 15 amp. Are they removable on this model and what is the best way without breaking or damaging anything?

Thanks for the input.

 

[jjsinaz]

The resistance between the purple and black wires should not be jumping all over the place like that. That could be your problem. The DESS post could also be the problem. If the beeper was working and you are getting the normal two beeps whenever you put the key on, then I'd say the DESS post is okay. Sometimes cleaning the contacts on the key and the post with a pencil eraser will clear it up is it is the DESS post.

 

[jjsinaz]

Those fuses are removable. Usually when a fuse goes, it is done. Your problem sounds like it is intermittent, which is not characteristic of a blown fuse. Check them anyway, but they are most likely okay

 

[etemplet]

I am afraid to pry on the MPEM to get at the fuses. I'm not breaking anything or trying not to. LOL I also wonder why the ski starts and runs. Even with the bad readings on the DC CDI module it runs when it wants to. I am considering purchasing a CDI because my readings are not even close to what they should be.

I removed my spark plug wires from the caps and the coil. The contact points were very corroded. I cleaned them up and it looks like the readings on the coil are within spec. i want to replace the plug wires.

I tested the trigger yesterday and it was within spec as well. I am learning a whole lot about these jet skis. Help and input is always appreciated.

 

[dieselndoo]

Clip the plug wires back 1/4in

 

[etemplet]

Let's see if this works. these are the readings from the DC CDI on my ski.