Bad SBT starter or do I have another issue?

[Luv2Camp]

Second time now I have taken out and when I go to start it, it is very sluggish on turnover and will just stop and the info gauge goes blank. Also, with repeated attempts it will either do nothing or attempt to crank but slow revolutions and quit. After continued attempts to start, it will act as normal. Not sure I understand why the gauge goes blank? Checked battery terminals and ground on starter and all tight. Do you think I have a bum SBT starter or some other electrical issue??

 

[LouDoo]

It sounds like a weak battery.

Lou

 

[Luv2Camp]

It sounds like a weak battery.

Lou

Acts like it but after repeated attempts it works perfect. I would assume if it was a weak battery it would continue to struggle until the voltage dropped too low and than nothing, not all of a sudden crank over perfect after repeated attempts

 

[Coastiejoe]

Acts like it but after repeated attempts it works perfect. I would assume if it was a weak battery it would continue to struggle until the voltage dropped too low and than nothing, not all of a sudden crank over perfect after repeated attempts

What is the voltage of the battery when trying to crank the engine?

It could easily be a combination of things. SBT starters are only MARGINALLY better than most aftermarket. But still to low of a quality for Seadoo engines.
Semi weak battery or partially shorted.
Cables,, bad or poor connections.

 

[Luv2Camp]

What is the voltage of the battery when trying to crank the engine?

It could easily be a combination of things. SBT starters are only MARGINALLY better than most aftermarket. But still to low of a quality for Seadoo engines.
Semi weak battery or partially shorted.
Cables,, bad or poor connections.

I am going to just replace the battery and see.... It is in it's 3rd season. I have noticed today that typically my battery tender goes green pretty fast after riding and hooking it up when done. Just checked and has been over an hour and still glowing red. Battery is at almost 13volts though. Just not sure if is the battery why it would start to work after continued attempts. Would think it would just be a downhill issue once it was weak. It is weird when it happens. The starter will almost crank, start to crank and stop, not crank at all and than it works. I was thinking about replacing the battery this season anyway so this will just eliminate that from the possible culprit.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Can't hurt any. 13 volts no load means very little. Loaded it could drop to 10.5 volts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[glsmohio]

Second time now I have taken out and when I go to start it, it is very sluggish on turnover and will just stop and the info gauge goes blank. Also, with repeated attempts it will either do nothing or attempt to crank but slow revolutions and quit. After continued attempts to start, it will act as normal. Not sure I understand why the gauge goes blank? Checked battery terminals and ground on starter and all tight. Do you think I have a bum SBT starter or some other electrical issue??

Do you still have the oem starter?

 

[XP 787]

Had the same problem thought it was the battery and ended up being a weak starter. See how it turns over after a full charge. I did end up getting an SBT starter though and haven't had any problems with it since the install but this was only about 4 weeks ago taking the ski out atleast twice a week. I did end up keeping the old starter, might do a rebuild on it just to keep as a spare since I haven't seen to many good reviews on aftermarket starters.

 

[Luv2Camp]

Replacing the battery did it! The old battery must have really been on it's way out. I replaced the SBT starter over the winter and just assumed it did not crank as a fast just because it was aftermarket. Can hear a difference in how fast it is turning over as well now.

On a side note, when I replaced my engine I put in a new tiny tach which also keeps track of the number of starts. Have almost 200 starts on the SBT starter. I am going to be able to see the lifecycles of the starter....

 

[Coastiejoe]

Battery condition can not be expressed enough when it comes to Seadoos...

Glad you solved the issue,,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Replacing the battery did it! The old battery must have really been on it's way out. I replaced the SBT starter over the winter and just assumed it did not crank as a fast just because it was aftermarket. Can hear a difference in how fast it is turning over as well now.

On a side note, when I replaced my engine I put in a new tiny tach which also keeps track of the number of starts. Have almost 200 starts on the SBT starter. I am going to be able to see the lifecycles of the starter....

Its only May and i know you put that engine in it in last winter. What were you out there just starting it for fun everyday? Lol

 

[LouDoo]

I'm starting to get a pet peeve about batteries. I can't seem to get a battery to last more than three seasons, and that's if I'm lucky. The last battery I bought was a MagnaPower AGM, supposedly a premium battery. Two years and it's done. I do know how to take care of a battery, the one in my boat, a full size battery, EverStart Maxx, was 7 years when I got a new one, and actually the old battery was still strong, I just thought it was time.

So from now on I think I'll just get the cheapest battery I can find, and if I get a year that's fine.

Lou

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Problem solved Lou. Strap a full size battery in there

 

[Coastiejoe]

I recently purchased a Gel Cell and it started my ski only two times... Someone needs to make a GOOD battery that holds up.

 

[XP 787]

I made the mistake of getting a cheapo battery from Walmart. All it did was make my starter click! Returned it and got an AGM from Batteries Plus.

 

[SEA-MONSTER]

I made the mistake of getting a cheapo battery from Walmart. All it did was make my starter click! Returned it and got an AGM from Batteries Plus.

I get 3 years max out of a East Penn agm battery, thats just the way it is, I have a battery dissconect on my GTX, the Explorer I leave connected all summer long. (no dess)