A few issues

[Canty]

1999 GTX Limited.

1) When I put the DESS key on the post I get nothing. If I disconnect then reconnect battery power I get 2 beeps.
2) even with 2 beeps, starter button doesnt do anything. I have not tested the button switch yet since I'm currently working on my wifes GTI LE so time on another ski is limited. After 2 beeps with a lil fuel in the cylinders I jumped the starter solenoid and it fired up.

Any advice would be helpful. I'm thinking both the DESS post and starter button switch is bad. I have a lot to do on this ski. Still has the gray lines so new lines, carb rebuild, fuel system clean ect is in the near future.

Canty

 

[GGuillot]

I'm thinking both the DESS post and starter button switch is bad.

With a multi meter you can test them separate to narrow it down, same for the solenoid, test it separately. Or you could go the expensive route and start throwing parts at it.

Before going much further I'd go ahead and change the fuel lines and rebuild the carbs with oem kits, etc. I wouldn't even run it again til you do that, you risk the engine getting trashed it you put it off.

 

[mikidymac]

The strange thing is disconnecting the battery gives you two beeps. I know some have a holder relay that can go bad and kind of sounds like your issue but I don’t know what models have them.

 

[Canty]

Okay. I'll look up the testing procedures for those items. Not sure when I'll get around to doing it. My wife has a long long long honey do list. LOL. yeah the beeps have me confused too. It beeped once, then nothing. Disconnect the battery, reconnect the battery and 2 beeps every time.

 

[Canty]

Update: I tested the DESS post and starter switch as per instructions. I had zero ohms and good continuity from above mentioned items to what I think is the MPEM? Flat black box up front of the ski with 3 large wire bundles going to it.

Here is where it gets weird. New battery installed. With key on post I get nothing. No lights no beeps nothing. Keeping the key on post, I disconnect the battery and reconnected it, I get a red light constant flash and when I push the start button I get 1 beep. If I remove the key from post I get nothing. If I put the key back, I get nothing until I disconnect and reconnect battery. I did get 2 beeps once not sure what was different that caused this. Just for grins, when I was getting only 1 beep per button push I jumped the starter solenoid and it turned over with no issue.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[GGuillot]

Ohm check the lanyard, when they get old the ohms can go up and cause reliability issues. One beep it's not recognizing the lanyard, so that could be the issue. I'd run down all the ground connections on the ski also.

 

[Canty]

Okay I'll try that.

 

[Canty]

Update: I followed the instructions on checking the DESS post and it seems good. I also ohm'd out the DESS key and had OL between ring and center post, so that should be good. Someone has messed with the starter switch before since when I removed the handle bar cover I saw 2 Autozone butt connectors. None the less, I ohm'd it out and it seemed good. However...my meter did get wet and just now wouldn't do anything so tomorrow I will go purchase a new one and run the test again. I want to run the starter button test again because a few days ago when I would disconnect the battery then reconnect it (before I did the tests on the DESS post) I was getting only one beep. Now, tonight when I disconnect and reconnect the batter I get 2 beeps. BUT ONLY if I disconnect then reconnect the battery, once the key is removed from the post I get nothing. Also, my e-manual says with key off post, I should be able to push the starter button 5 times to run a diagnosis mode where it will beep to identify any issues. When I press the button 5 times, nothing happens which is why I am thinking the switch is bad or those cheap connectors are not doing their job. All that being said, I am still confused as to why I only get beeps when I disconnect then reconnect the battery.

If I remember correctly, when I tested the key, I had like 46 ohms. I need to recheck that to make sure my meter was reading right. I know the keys need about 10 ohms. If the ohms are to high, could I cut the post and key off one of my other skis and solder it on to this one? The post and key are required to work together, but as long as they do, the MPEM wouldn't know any difference, correct?

 

[GGuillot]

f I remember correctly, when I tested the key, I had like 46 ohms. I need to recheck that to make sure my meter was reading right. I know the keys need about 10 ohms. If the ohms are to high, could I cut the post and key off one of my other skis and solder it on to this one? The post and key are required to work together, but as long as they do, the MPEM wouldn't know any difference, correct?

The post is not matched, the MPEM doesn't know the difference if you replaced it, but the lanyard is programmed to the MPEM, so getting another lanyard from another ski wouldn't work.. Yes, the lanyard/key should be under 10 ohms to be reliable. I've found the new ones I've bought will come in at 6 ohms or less. I had some old ones testing at 20 ohms or so. Double check, but 46 ohms is high and I'd attempt to replace with a new one before going much further. Unfortunately you'd need to remove and ship MPEM to someone like Westsidepowersorts.com to program a new lanyard, you could purchase a new lanyard and ship it with the MPEM or he'll provide one for an extra charge. The other alternatives to programming a new key is having a BUDS or Candoo device or go to a dealership.

 

[Canty]

Okay thanks. I was hoping for an easier answer. Here is another question. What would happen if I swapped MPEMs from my GSX to my GTX? They are a year or two apart, same motors, the MPEMs are not identical, but let's say they connect the same, could I swap the post, key and MPEM in to the GTX? I normally wouldn't, but I have family coming to visit in a week and a half and would like both ski's running for them.

 

[GGuillot]

What would happen if I swapped MPEMs from my GSX to my GTX?

I'm not sure, one has a VTS, the other doesn't. I wouldn't recommend it, but check the plugs to see what's going to work or not. You may be creating more problems for yourself, one running ski is better than both not running.

 

[Canty]

Okay, If they will plug in, I may give it a shot. It is only a few minutes of work. I will also call WSPS tomorrrow about getting my MPEM serviced and keyed.

 

[Canty]

So here is what happened. I did swap MPEM's and when I did (using the GSX key of course) I got two beeps each time I installed the key. No more disconnect/reconnect the battery. So that leads me to believe that I have a bad MPEM. After the two beeps, about 5-10 seconds later I get one lone beep. I read this could be a few different issues. One being that the key was left on the DESS and the ski not started. I am leaning towards this answer because when I push the start button, I get power on the yellow with red tracer wire at the starter solenoid. However, it does not try to start nor does the solenoid click. I did remove the solenoid and put it to a battery. It didn't do anything right away, after I repeatedly put power to it it finally started clicking. I feel like I have a bad solenoid. Is there any ways you guys can tell me to make sure that is what it is? I will be ordering one in few minutes anyway, but I would like to be sure.

 

[mikidymac]

You would be better off sending your MPEM to Westside for testing.

You can't just swap in a MPEM from a different model on these because the wiring harnesses are different even from year to year.

 

[Canty]

Swapping MPEMs was just a test to see if mine is bad. The ski has been sitting since 2014, I wanted to see if it was the MPEM or something else. I'm sending mine off to them on Monday.

 

[mikidymac]

Sounds reasonable.

 

[Canty]

Problem solved. It was a bad computer and bad starter solenoid.

Thanks everyone that offered advice.