96 xp mpem

[Legacy37]

I bought a non running 96 xp towards the end of last season for a project. My wife and daughter don’t like riding tandem. Anyway it had electrical issues, the rear box was all geeked up. Got that all fixed up, new coil, the mpem was blowing the fuse. Long story short, I need an mpem. Apparently the 96 is a one of a kind and I was quoted almost 700 for one from my go to parts guy. That is out of the question, I will part it out first. Has anyone used or had any success with the ebay mpems or should I just part it?

 

[mikidymac]

They are absolute garbage.

Contact Nick or Jess at Westside Powersports Seadoo.

 

[Legacy37]

I did....love Westside, I try to buy everything there....that is where the quote came from

 

[mikidymac]

Well that sucks. I know their prices are based on availability and demand but $700 is crazy.

 

[azsxr]

I have a OEM one I’d let go for half that.

 

[Mekanix]

Swap in one from a 97 gtx.
It replaces all 3 parts. Might be cheaper as they are more abundant.

Only herd bad about those cheap mpems.

 

[Mraw]

Check fresh water pwc. I'm pretty sure he has the whole grey box for much cheaper than that

 

[Legacy37]

Swap in one from a 97 gtx.
It replaces all 3 parts. Might be cheaper as they are more abundant.

Only herd bad about those cheap mpems.

Will that function the same?

 

[Mekanix]

Identical behavior. You will need to look at both wiring diagram and figure out how to make the connections because the colors don't match up exactly but it does the same thing. One module replaces 3.

 

[Grnbeano]

Yeah $700 is freaking nuts, especially from Westside

 

[Legacy37]

Yeah $700 is freaking nuts, especially from Westside

Good news, I ran a compression test before going further...170 in both cylinders. Yay! After my gti oil leak, I need a break

 

[etemplet]

Identical behavior. You will need to look at both wiring diagram and figure out how to make the connections because the colors don't match up exactly but it does the same thing. One module replaces 3.

Cool Idea !!

 

[Mekanix]

170?
Do you have mods or a bad gauge ?
Should be 150-155.

You can swap the entire grey box from xp to gtx if they are a 96 or 97 gtx but the other connectors that go to the buttons and gauges won't match up.
The plug for the back electrical box and the front of the engine are all you need in order to install a 97 grey box in a 96 xp and that should fire up. You don't even need that extra ground wire on the back box.
Check the two wiring diagrams and compare the two. All the same components are there. Fuel, oil, start,stop, beeper, engine, back electrical box etc. But I know the colors are different, or rather different shades of the same color. Its best to pick a component from the old and check the diagram for the new.
Dess post for instance. 3 wires, same colors on both so thats an easy start and that eliminates one part. Just go through each component one by one untill you don't have any wires left.

 

[Legacy37]

170?
Do you have mods or a bad gauge ?
Should be 150-155.

You can swap the entire grey box from xp to gtx if they are a 96 or 97 gtx but the other connectors that go to the buttons and gauges won't match up.
The plug for the back electrical box and the front of the engine are all you need in order to install a 97 grey box in a 96 xp and that should fire up. You don't even need that extra ground wire on the back box.
Check the two wiring diagrams and compare the two. All the same components are there. Fuel, oil, start,stop, beeper, engine, back electrical box etc. But I know the colors are different, or rather different shades of the same color. Its best to pick a component from the old and check the diagram for the new.
Dess post for instance. 3 wires, same colors on both so thats an easy start and that eliminates one part. Just go through each component one by one untill you don't have any wires left.

Guessing mods, the head looks very after mark

 

[Legacy37]

Ran compression test again...between 155 and 160 both cylinders. My eyes just aren’t what they used to be

 

[mikidymac]

Picture of head please.

 

[Legacy37]

I found a complete front box Off a running crashed ski, no key. Can I try the cdi first ir is there risk of damaging it if the mpem is bad? I need to get this one programmed

 

[artr]

You won't be able to start it without the key so you could leave the cdi disconnected and see if the gauges light up when you press the start button. If you are worried about this mpem being damaged also, I believe there are some static resistance measurements in the shop manual you could try before installing it.

 

[Legacy37]

You won't be able to start it without the key so you could leave the cdi disconnected and see if the gauges light up when you press the start button. If you are worried about this mpem being damaged also, I believe there are some static resistance measurements in the shop manual you could try before installing it.

I was thinking of connecting this known working cdi to my mpem to make sure its not just the cdi

 

[artr]

Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant. I take it that your old mpem is still blowing a fuse. Which fuse is blowing and where is it located (there are 3 fuses in the front electrical box and 2 in the rear electrical box)? I would try disconnecting the 2 connectors to the old cdi and see if the fuse still blows. If it does then it is probably not the cdi that is the problem and would not take the chance of connecting another cdi to your old mpem.

 

[Legacy37]

Weird enough, since I rebuilt the aft box with new coil....not blowing fuses anymore just no spark. The pickup coil seems to be working. The original ignition coil was cracked......don’t know how that happens. Aft box was a mess with obvious water intrusion

 

[artr]

If your sure the only issue is no spark while cranking I would take your battery to be tested or put a volt meter on the battery while cranking the engine. If the battery voltage drops below 10 volts while cranking, the cdi will not fire even though the engine will continue to crank.

 

[Legacy37]

If your sure the only issue is no spark while cranking I would take your battery to be tested or put a volt meter on the battery while cranking the engine. If the battery voltage drops below 10 volts while cranking, the cdi will not fire even though the engine will continue to crank.

Battery is great, 11 volts on crank. So I put the known good CDI on my mpem.....GOT SPARK! Yay it was the cdi. Now to do carbs and replace gray lines

 

[mikidymac]

I would also replace the battery. It shouldn’t drop below 12v when cranking.

 

[Legacy37]

I will charge it first then check again....it has done quite a bit of starting lately without recharge