Clicks but nothing

[USCG96gsx]

I believe I have jinxed myself, my big ski,1996 gsx with the 787 needed a new battery. Well I got the battery and it had power, guarded light up but when I hit the start button I get clicks from the solenoid....


Pulled the ground and positive cables and made sure no corrosion. Tried to jump the solenoid but no spark.....checked all the fuses, back box and mped all the 15, 7.5, and 5 are good.


Not sure what to try next.

 

[Triorieel]

I would use a voltage meter and try to find where the voltage stops. See if the solenoid is getting voltage, See if it's passing it through. Is the starter getting voltage? etc.....

 

[USCG96gsx]

Yeah I checked Block to battery like and positive to starter. I also took the plugs out and tried to turn the engine by hand and it didn't budge......

 

[mikidymac]

If it didn't budge then there are only 3 things to try.
1. Pull the pump as they can lock up. Does it turn over without the pump.
2. Pull the starter as they can lock up.
3. With the starter out and pump out if it still doesn't turn over by hand your engine is toast.

 

[USCG96gsx]

When I pull this pump off, will I need new rings/gaskets? I have change the come oil a few times but never had to actually pull the pump form the hull.

 

[JJinSC]

If your model uses a neoprene gasket, You will want to replace that.

 

[DerekI]

I believe I have jinxed myself, my big ski,1996 gsx with the 787 needed a new battery. Well I got the battery and it had power, guarded light up but when I hit the start button I get clicks from the solenoid....


Pulled the ground and positive cables and made sure no corrosion. Tried to jump the solenoid but no spark.....checked all the fuses, back box and mped all the 15, 7.5, and 5 are good.


Not sure what to try next.

Your starter is toast. Just changed mine same engine. 2 hrs re and re and 80 to rebuild

 

[soccerdad]

Your starter is toast. Just changed mine same engine. 2 hrs re and re and 80 to rebuild

Or it could be the other two things miki said. Were the plugs rusted on the tips? You could pull the head and just look at the top of the pistons to see if you see anything. You wont need any gaskets to put it back together. But pulling the pump is pretty quick and easy. You should probably change the VTS (trim rod) boot while you are at it, and check the wear ring when it is out.

 

[USCG96gsx]

The vts boot is what started this crap last year lol.... I put the new clamps when I replaced it.


I got a new solenoid because they are 40 bucks.



Cut back and made sure the grounds had a good connection.

Went ahead and puked the nozzle and change the synthetic grease in the pump(it always amazes me how bad that stuff smells), but realized I was missing an o ring and stopped there.


After work tomorrow I hope to get the pump pulled, solenoid in and the new wires attached.


Thanks for everyone's help so far!

 

[hotrodssnova]

Did the engine turn over by hand with pump out?
The stator and flywheel could also keep it from turning also. I had a bolt wreck havoc in one once. Bolt snapped off the cup and destroyed everything in the housing.
I didn't see the rotoray valve shaft mentioned either. I think I have one with a bad gear on the shelf now. Haven't had time to tear it down yet. More info needed.

 

[mikidymac]

Make sure you pull the C clip off the hat for the carbon seal before you pull the pump.

 

[USCG96gsx]

I am pulling the pump tonight when I get off work..

While this is all out should I grab a carbon seal kit and replace it. I have only owned this ski for a little over a year. I can say the pump oil was changed recently but haven't pulled the pump out yet.

 

[USCG96gsx]

Well I popped off the head and I don't see any marks in the one cylinder

 

[darren shumbo]

The picture of the cylinder clearly shows a rusted and pitted cylinder...it's junk....time to rebuild or repower.....I do these everyday....The cylinder head also shows deep pits from broken rings...maybe in the past, maybe now..tear it down...

 

[USCG96gsx]

Darren thanks for the input a appreciate it, do you have a shop?

 

[soccerdad]

I see the pits in the head, but the piston does not have them. This leaves me to think it may be an old artifact. The rusting is not that bad in my opinion. Maybe some others will jump in. I would still pull the pump and see if it spins over. If it does, then look at the rings and then put the head on a do a compression test.

 

[USCG96gsx]

I got the pump off and no go...pulling the starter now. I did a compression test before I started and it was 138 in the one towards the bow and 139 in the stern. At this point I basically have the engine out, I need to change the tempo fuel lines and rebuild he carbs and it's July 18th in Ohio.

 

[USCG96gsx]

The good news is I have two skis, the bad news is the other ski had the smaller engine. That's the life of owning watercraft, my dad used to say the 3 f's if it floats flies or fornicates it will coast you money