97 XP starting problems

[Lightning546]

My ski won't start.

I was going to ride two days ago after not having rode my ski for 2 weeks. Installed the key and didn't get any beeps, didn't think anything about it as mine does that quite frequently. Pushed the start button and got one long beep.
Checked the battery with the multi-meter, read 12.68 volts.
Checked the fuses, none blown, checked the power at the solenoid, meter read 12.68 volts, tried shorting across the solenoid terminals, starter won't spin.

Bench tested both starters, they both work perfectly.

Ran the self test, 1 long and 1 short beep.
Pushed the start button, only get a click and 1 long beep and now I have to wait a few hours before it will allow me to enter the self test routine again.

Replaced solenoid, tried starting again, no joy.
Replaced starter, again no joy.
Put old solenoid back in, no joy.

Used multi-meter to check for a short between the solenoid and ground, dead short between wire going to positive terminal on starter and the ground wire.

Just checked old and new starters, dead short between the positive terminal and the starter housing, but when test probe is connected to the positive terminal bolt and starter housing instead of the nut I get 4.5 Mohms resistance.

Ski was running perfectly with the exception of the bogging which it has done since I bought it and had a new motor installed 5 years ago. Carbs are rebuilt every year, all fuel lines were replaced with reinforced coast guard approved marine fuel line and the fuel selector valve has been replaced.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Advanced procedure?

Though your thread has a great start, you do not mention in your advanced procedure that you put the lanyard on after you pushed the start/stop button 5 times.

From what I am reading, your lanyard is not being picked up by your post. Or, your lanyard is dirty.

You can try to clean the post and cap real good with warm, soapy water. Do not use any electrical cleaning compounds, you can damage the ROM chip in the lanyard cap.

You might use the search engine with keywords like, post test, DESS test, ....the procedure for testing the resistance on the post is in the forum, 3 or 4 times over........:cheers:

 

[Lightning546]

You are correct, I forgot to mention installing the lanyard and that I had already cleaned it as well as the switch and that the switch had tested good.

I think the problem is the ground cable from the battery but will have to wait for the new cable to get here before I can be sure. None of my local Seadoo dealers (5 are within 45 miles of me) carry the battery cables in stock so I had to order it, they also will not work on my ski because it is more than 10 years old, not to mention it's a 2 stroke and they don't have a tech that's trained to work on these engines.

 

[kustomkarl]

The battery cable is just a black cable with with connectors on the end. Go to like auto zone and get the cable and make one for pennies.

Karl

 

[Lightning546]

I already broke down and took my ski to the shop, tired of fighting with it and since I only get one day a week off now I don't have the time to tinker. I want to be able to ride it some more before the water gets too cold (<50 degrees) to ride anymore.
I've only gotten to put 3 hours on it so far this year. Mainly due to my own stupidity, forgot to hold the rotary valve when I replaced the intake (so it fell out)and I had to wait forever for the degree wheel to get here so I could re-time the motor (all of my specialty ski tools got stolen last January when my truck was vandalized they even stole my bowling ball and shoes).


I can usually ride 10 to 11 months out of the year here in SE Georgia and NE Florida, as long as I wear both of my wetsuits at the same time (a shorty with a full suit under it). And I usually ride in the ocean since there's no lakes big enough in the local area.

And when I get ready to ride it next year if it starts up and runs without having to use starting fluid it will have been well worth the money the shop is charging me for the repairs to the electrical system, carbs and intake and the exhaust pipe repairs. All that will be left for me to do is to put a new layer of gelcoat and do the pump service.