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97 xp trim

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seadoorid3r

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Hi,
Im new to this forum, and sorry if this is a repeat, but I recently bought a 97 seadoo XP. Brand new engine, rebuilt by a local guy that has years and years under his belt. Anyways. The only problem with it, is that the VTS. Does not work. The local dealer said that the switch is good and so is the trim motor. They said it was the MPEM which was bad. My questions are, 1: can an MPEM burn out in one specific place like that, and 2: is there anyway to bypass the MPEM so the variable trim works with the stock VTS buttons.
thanks for any help!
 
LOLOL ok I just delt with this on a GSX-RFI. I bet the pin for the power to the VTS rotted off the MPEM. You need to figure out if that is the issue. Here is the RFI MPEM...



A few pins rotted off...only 1 was an issue. the power to the VTS.

If it is...you can make a little wire harness from the battery to the power on the VTS.

I can whip you up an adaptor if you just wanna try it.
 
I'm looking at a wiring diagram for a 96XP which could be different from a 97XP. The diagram shows a seperate VTS module, which is not part of the MPEM. I've only worked on ski's with VTS a couple of times, both times it was the VTS motor, so I would check the motor first, and work back.

Lou
 
The MPEM doesn't control the VTS... but a burnt up VTS can take out the MPEM with an excessive load.

The VTS has a secondary controller. Sometimes it's part of the VTS housing, and sometimes it is separate. When the boot leaks, and the motor becomes flooded, it will short out the controller. That is probably where your problem is. Depending on how handy you are... you can cut open the controller, and you will probably find some cooked traces on the board. You can solder on some jumper wires and bring it back to life.
 
DR...it does not control it, but the wires run thru the MPEM housing...which can be an issue when the pins rot.

Lou, the 96 is totally different from the 97.
 
Minnetonka4me said:
DR...it does not control it, but the wires run thru the MPEM housing...which can be an issue when the pins rot.

Lou, the 96 is totally different from the 97.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right... but the 97 doesn't have the little pins on it's MPEM, and as long as the 5a fuse isn't blowing... it's probably the VTS controller.

And... yes... the 96 and 97 VTS units are different... but they can be made to work. (if you are good with wiring)
 
DR...look at the picture I provided...this is the EXACT reason the 97 got the bad wrap....they put the MPEM in the nose where water spashes it every time you let off the gas...then pins rot and you need a new MPEM.

Seadoorid3r...I would get your MPEM out and check it. Be very careful when you pull the big connectors off and check for damage. If it looks good, put some dielectric grease all over it and put it back in. If you find no pins bad then DR. is right and its likely the VTS housing. forget trying to fix it...the potting is a biatch to get out.

While you are at it...make some sort of deflector out of aluminum or plastic to divert water from directly splashing the MPEM. Its a must on the 97s. Those MPEMs are getting EXTREMELY rare and people are getting 4-500 for them USED!

All the VTS housings are the same, but they have different wire lengths and connectors. The 720s (95 XP, 96 SPX) have one type, the 96 XP, 97-99 SPX had another, and the GSX, 97 XP, and the XPLs had another.
 
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lol, friend of mine just did same thing, on his 97xp. Motor in vts works, both push/pull, but not from the vts button. So what he did, was mount a 3-pole switch, hard wired it to it from battery, and bam, vts worked. Cant remember, but think he incorporated the gauge to it as well. I'll be talk'n to him today anyway, and if i remember, i'll hit'em up about it. He's an electrician by trade, so sure that helped.
 
I guess im just gonna have to start digging into it. I JUST put the sleds away and it snows, lol so I guess im gonna have to wait until it warms up some considering im not in a heated garage. Minnetonka if I need one I will def let u know, and thanks seadooya, do u know what kind of switch? And where he got it from? I was hoping to utilize the stock switch if at all possible.
 
ok, so i just got in from looking at the machine, and the mpem looks spotless, all connecters are amazingly clean. so im guessing its the vts housing? in a few days im going to get out the multi meter and check to see if in fact there is power to the VTS housing from the MPEM, which im hoping there is.:banghead: IF there is power to the housing, is there anyway to bypass it without replacing it?
 
I hate to keep harping on this but do yourself a favor and check for 12v. at the motor before you troubleshoot the module. My experience, only have done 2, was moisture had got into the motor bearing and the motor was frozen. It will only take a minute and it could save a lot of time troubleshooting.

Lou
 
the motor works, it was powered to get the trim back to the middle position so it can be ridden normally. hopefully i can get it workin
 
My 2¢ worth.

Unless you actually saw the mechanic test the switch and saw for yourself it was good, I would leave for the possibility that it still may be bad.

From experience, I have a hard time believing/trusting shop mechanics.
​
 
Conclusion: VTS BOX. I found a junk 96 seadoo XP with VTS, and I took it out. I cut the stock harness off the box on the 97 and wired it to the '96 box by matching wire colors. The power harness was still the same so I left that alone. After it was all wired up, I put the key on, and BAM power trim. Thank you so much for everyones help it saved me countless hours and headaches!!
 
Very true! You would think they would be more spot on considering they are supposed to be "certified" in this stuff. Goes to show, not just anybody can be a good mechanic. Thanks!
 
Was it a dealer??

LOLOL I love people who have "certification"...there is a guy locally who says on CL he has certs on ALL outboards, and PWCs.

Great you got a cert from a one day class on the 2004 seadoos, you mist know everything now..LOL
 
It was a dealer who said the MPEM was bad! Lol! Not every outboard and PWCs are the same! Some people I tell ya, frustrates me! Haha
 
I've made mistakes...it happens...but some of the stuff I have seen and heard that came to me from a dealer is outright laughable!

I had a jetboat here that needed a motor...when I was working on it I opened a storage bin and found 4 rusty starters. He had the dealer replace them twice a year for two years. The tards didnt even attempt to fix the main issue...WATER IN THE MAG HOUSING!!!

Well b/c it was that way for two years rust built up on the crank, wrecked the crank seal, then wrecked the bearings.

Nice job dealer!!! ended up being a $2g repair! LOL and thats after $1500 in starter bills!
 
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