• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

99 gsx starter

Status
Not open for further replies.
What is the compression in the cylinders? Sometimes the low compression of a motor will allow it to start on a trailer as it has less friction from the impeller out of the water. That is why the Seadoo will idle higher on the hose than in the water by almost 500 rpm's different.
The compression ideally is 150 in both cylinders...they should be at the least 100 in both. If less than ti could need some work. Start with a compression test. If you aren't sure how to perform one let us know and well talk you through it ... You will need a compression guage.
Karl
 
Compression....

Go to your local Autozone and buy a simple compression test gage....usually less than $20. Pull your plugs out, screw the end of the hose into the plug and roll the engine over about 3 or 4 times. CHeck the pressure gage. Do this about 3 times to get an average. This is the compression. Do the same to the other cylinder....you want a reading above 100 psi. Max will be about 140 psi. You also want the readings fairly close to each other. If one is 100 and the other is 105, then that cylinder is getting weak.
 
To add to seadoosnipe's coment, to do the compression check, when you unplug the sparkplugs from the plug caps there is a grounding stud for each plug cap near the cylinder. Besure to plug each plug cap on the grounding cap so as not to do damage to the electrical ignition parts. Than hit the starter and see how much compression in each cylinder you have as he discribed. Let us know what you get and will go from there.
Karl
 
i will do the test to it today and get back to you with the results thank you alot. if it is reading less than 100 is it diffcult and expensive to repair
 
?

Depending on the amount of knowledge you have in the mechanics of engines is what will determine what you do. If it's less than 100 psi, then you could order a top end kit and just put on new pistons rings and jugs....about $400 dollars.....but if the engine is old and in question as to how much more life it has left, you may want to replace it. You can get an OEM replacement for about $800, with a rebuildable core.
So it's all in the amount of experience you have. To have it done at a shop, a little over $2000 is what you could expect.............
 
thank you once again, im going to be getting off work at 2:30 and going to do the compression test. i called autzone they have a compression gage. if the compression reads fine(please pray it does haha) then what else could be the problem. i know not to jump ahead of myslef, so i will do compression test first seems really simple. thank you once agian
 
I'm not a gambler but from the sounds of it the compression is low...I betcha..
I would be surprised if the compression was where it should be. The extra drag( or load, due to the density of the water) from the impeller in the water will cause the engine to not want to rev up due to lack of compression.
I hope for the best...good luck
Karl
 
great news not compression both are reading 140 did 3 times for each. main. light stays on my ski,anymore advise thank you it is a big rellief knowing its not the compression ?thank you for being so much help and responind quick
 
Plugs...

Sounds like you got great compression. That's good:hurray: Now, if you still aren't getting a start in the water but you can start on land I got an idea. When you try to start it in the water. Try it a couple times. Then take one of your plugs out. See if its really soaking wet with water. You may have a leak in your water jacket.
 
so would it be the same if i hooked the waterhose up to the ski? because i did so and the plugs looked good. thanks everyone for you help sorry for so many questions. my ski also has the maint light on, i did the advanced testing and got 2 quick beeps. it seems to be stalling when idle on the trailer. i havent been on the water in a couple of months but have ran it.
 
Advanced testing?

If you were in the advanced testing mode and got 2 quick beeps, that means that the mpem cannot read the lanyard cap or the magnet is defective.
Yes, there is a difference in starting the ski with a water hose verses putting it in the water....
Try cleaning your post and cap with warm soapy water. Then, let it air dry. What ever you do, do spray any die electric grease or any other cleaning product on the post or cap.
 
yes i got two beeps, the ski starts just fine out of water fire right up. so doesn't that mean the lanyard is being read? where do you thinhk i should go from here i have a shop manual(gt it a few years back before i found this site) this site is way more helpful. It seems like nothing is wrong with it, but once in water it has problems starting and maint light on. as always thank you so much
 
Are you sure you in Advanced Diagnostic Mode. The 2 beeps is in regular mode, is normal, and ready to run. Advanced Diagnostic Mode is different.
Karl
 
beeps?

When you push the start stop button 5 times, do you hear the one short and one long beep? Then, what do you do after that? Once you hear that one short and one long, you should put your cap on. Then, see how many beeps your getting.
Weird that you can get a start on land, but not the water.:confused:
 
For Advanced Self-Diagnostic Mode:
1)Remove the safety lanyard cap from the switch
2)Push the start/stop button 5 times
NOTE: 1 short and 1 long beep must be heard indicates diagnostic mode
3)Install safety lanyard on switch
4)Press the start/ stop button again
NOTE: if everything is correct than engine will start. If not the following is the problem
1 Long and 1 short beep =no lanyard is programed
2 Short beeps =MPEM can't read the lanyard cap or magnet is defective.
2 Long beeps=Wrong lanyard or bad connection of DESS wires.
3 Short beeps=wire harness of dess is grounded or a short circuit

This is just a rehash of the codes. I hope it helps.
Karl
 
I agree....

I agree with you there.....he never said that he heard the one short and one long beep. That will tell that you know you are in the advanced mode.
 
ok thanks for the reply, this is what i did

1)cap removed from switch
2)wanted to push button 5 times but it beeps on the 3rd push
3)placed cap on switch and pressed start and got 2 beeps
then pressed start again and fired up

after i did that i pressed the button 3 times got 1 beep then pressed it twice more nothing different happened

did i do something wrong?
what could cause the maint. light to come on?
thanks again for t he help
 
I dig deeper into the advanced-self diagnostic mode to find an answer. I'm not sure how you got the beeps like that.
To reset the Maintence light push the set up button.( as the manual states)
 
i have been reading other post and many people have problems with their battery staying charged, i aslo have this problem with my 99 gsx Rfi, is it hard to change, the rectifier where is it located on the ski? could this be a cause why it doesn't start well in water, but is fine on land? thanks again for your help. i would take it that this site is the best for the manual, i left mine outside last night and rain got it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top