Can a 97 XP be killing starters?

[true520]

Hey guys,
I just got a non-running 97 XP which turned out to have a bad starter.

So, i buy a starter from a friend...and this starter bench tested perfectly.

I put the starter in, hit the start button and she turns over about 5 or 7 times...decide to put the plugs in to see if I have done a good job...and then she just starts "clicking" noise in the black box again! :ack:

Did i get a 2nd bad starter... OR is there some way this thing is killing them.

I hate to order a new one just to kill it too...

Thanks, Mitch

 

[scooper77515]

Did it turn over "freely" with the spark plugs out? It needs to be spinning really fast, since there is no compression.

If not, and there is some binding on it, and you add compression with the spark plugs in, it could be problems elsewhere.

Also, most important before you assume engine damage, put in a new battery. Even one that seems to be strong and fully charged can provide only weak "ooph".

 

[true520]

I actually bought it assuming the motor was locked up...after taking the head off, we quickly noticed there was nothing wrong up top.

Here is what is confusing me...the started worked fine BEFORE we put it in the ski....

So, I just didnt want to buy another starter if there was a known issue of these skis ruining starters.

I have a buddy who has an older starter (93 or 94) it wont bolt in, but we are going to hook up the hot and ground wires to it and see if it kills this starter too.

I should have more info soon.

Thanks, Mitch

 

[rxp01]

it sounds like your starter relay in the electrical box is going bad sometimes working and other times not it is a very commen issue i would change it it is easy and cheap thing to check If you bjust wont to check it you can get a test light and put it on the side of the relay that is not always got power one side will always have power the other side will just have power when you hit the start stop switch and if the power does not switch to the other side the relay is bad.

 

[scooper77515]

Starter may be fine. So before you start spending money, check the following.

Pull spark plugs and see if you can grab the PTO or drive shaft and spin the motor by hand. It should turn pretty easily. If not, start looking at engine problems rather than starter.

If it spins freely, then borrow a strong car battery (not jumping, but remove battery and attach cables to it) and see if it will turn over. Then replace your battery with a new one.

Electrical problems could be poor cables (hot or ground), poor connections, weak battery (even if it shows 14 volts, may not have the amps needed).

Crankshaft or other engine areas may be semi-seized requiring too much torque from the starter. Could also be semi-seized at the jet pump. You can test this by turning the engine by hand with spark plugs out.

 

[true520]

OK....did some more testing and this XP is definitely killing starters!

I put in yet another starter that bench tested good....and this time she fired up and ran for a few seconds...BUT, when we tried to re-start her, you could obviously tell the starter was slowing down...

AND, I reached down and felt of the starter and it was xtremely hot! Too hot to hold on to! :ack:

SO...now what do i do?

I have a 1996 XP cool box (black box as I call it) I can put it on there...but i would have to buy yet another starter! AND< I dont want to fry the 96's box either....

Any good starting points?

Thanks in advance!
Mitch

 

[scooper77515]

Hmmm...

I would start looking at that solenoid and the wiring. Sounds like the starter may be engaging and staying engaged???

Try to "bench test" it wired to the seadoo, just not installed onto the flywheel. Put on the DESS, fire it up, and see if it stays on until you pull the key or just spins while you have the START button pushed.

 

[scooper77515]

I am kinda anxious to hear what the problem was, so get back to us when you figure it out. :cheers:

 

[true520]

Hmmm...this is getting more and more confusing.

I let the last starter sit over night (to completely cool off) and when I bench tested it...she did fine.
SO, I then hook the hot wire up and then a ground wire to the battery, and another ground wire from the starter to the block....so as to test the starter outside the motor.

Well...i clicked the starter on and off about 10 times or so...and she never once got hot.??

BUT, the motor turns freely and actually fires right up!....just the starter will not crank it more than 2 or 3 times befor it over-heats.

What now...??
What now?....

 

[true520]

no mods that i know of.

After is quits storming here,
I am going to take the back cover off...try and start the motor (if this starter will do it.)

THEN, see if the motor is as easy to spin by hand after it fires off a few times.

Guess this will tell me rather it is an electrical issue or a tight bottom end.

MAN, I am hoping for an electrical problem!

Mitch

 

[scooper77515]

MAN, I am hoping for an electrical problem!

I agree...:ack:

 

[true520]

WOOO HOOO! Let me say that again! WOOO HOOOO:hurray:

Bought yet another starter (the third one) and she worked perfectly!

Here is why (I guess)

one of my car mechanic buddies said "sometimes if the ground is bad, it will burn up a starter"

So, I put this starter in, I added another ground wire. I had a 14" long ground wire (from somewhere) so I just put it on the other side of the ground tab and ran it to the front of the block.

Took her out last night and put an hour's worth of riding on her...probably started and re-started her 10 or so times...worked perfectly every time too!

:hurray:

 

[scooper77515]

Man, that was surprisingly simple. I hate when they end up that way.

Mine has 2 ground straps already, and I swapped the main one out last time I swapped starters (like 3 weeks ago:ack so I am glad I did that.

Glad you are back on the water!!!:hurray::hurray: