99 GSX RFI Won't crank

[FasTruckMonkey]

I've got a 99 GSX RFI with 120ish hours on it, last time I had it out in the creek we stopped for about an hour, and beached the skis. Went to leave and it wouldn't crank. Been pretty trouble free up until this point. Had to tow it back.

Worked on it at the house, replaced spark plugs, fully charged battery, still wont turn over. Battery shows 12.7x volts, solenoid does click, and I get a "whine" while trying to start it that is coming from the solenoid area. Also while trying to start it, I checked the voltage at the solenoid and its dropping to 8.5 ish. Starter does not turn over at all. Also as long as I've owned it (3 seasons) its always been sluggish to start in the water, but would always fire right up on the trailer.


Thanks.

 

[LouDoo]

Could be several things, however the easiest things to check should come first. Take the battery to an auto parts store and have the battery load tested. Also check the cables for corrosion, twist the cable if it crunches it probably has corrosion, also check the cable connections, clean and apply dielectric grease. I have a feeling it's the battery, 3 years is about it.

Lou

 

[FasTruckMonkey]

Sorry, should have mentioned it's a brand new battery too. I'll check the cables on the bottom side as the ones at the battery are fine.

 

[LouDoo]

I re-read the original post and the fact that you have a new battery makes me think it's the solenoid. Try jumping the main terminals on the solenoid with an old screwdriver.

Are you saying that you only have 8.5 volts at the solenoid? Is that under a load?

Lou

 

[Dr Honda]

Just because the battery is new, doesn't mean a thing. I've see way too many bad batteries "Out of the box" in my years to take the answer of "It's a new battery." (Wall-mart, cheif Auto, and Interstate are some of the worst)

Since the voltage is dropping to 8v... That makes me think the battery is bad. A strong battery will hold it's voltage, and smoke will come off the wires if the starter was shorted. Also... even if it was cranking... an RFI engine won't start unless you can hold 10.6v or better while cranking.

 

[FasTruckMonkey]

The voltage drop is at the solenoid, not the battery..Its 12.x on one side and 8.x on the other while holding the start button down. Thinking back I'm not sure I checked it at the battery while holding the start button. I'll have the battery checked again, but its not one of the cheap Wal-Mart ones.

Starter doesn't spin or engage..I only sounds I get are the solenoid click, and a "electronic whine" coming from the same area as the solenoid.

My buddy has a 99 GSX unlimited and I may try to swap his solenoid with mine and see if that works.

 

[MonteC]

The voltage drop is at the solenoid, not the battery..Its 12.x on one side and 8.x on the other while holding the start button down. Thinking back I'm not sure I checked it at the battery while holding the start button. I'll have the battery checked again, but its not one of the cheap Wal-Mart ones.

Starter doesn't spin or engage..I only sounds I get are the solenoid click, and a "electronic whine" coming from the same area as the solenoid.

My buddy has a 99 GSX unlimited and I may try to swap his solenoid with mine and see if that works.

Grab the balancer and try to turn it. My starter bendix got stuck in the flywheel, and it did everything you mentioned above (clicks, voltage drops, ect). I never tried to turn the motor over by hand, and when I did found that it was stuck, gave the balancer a good yank and it freed the bendix up and started fine.

BTW my 99 gsx rfi, has the same starting issue. Sluggish to start on water, easy on the trailer.