Complete noob with starting problem.

[jcp]

Hi all,
This is my first ski. '06 wake n/a. Was out all day yesterday, no problems until I brought the ski to shore for a pickup. The ski won't start. All it does is click. I hear the click come from where the main fuse panel is located. (black box) The battery is charged to 12.56v. I did have a tug boat wave come over the ski. Did not overturn, started fine when I picked up my nephew after he fell off. Rode around for 10 mins or so after that. Took the tube out for 15 mins. Came back in and that's when it wouldn't start. Just clicks. I don't know much about the mechanics of these things, but am more than willing to learn. I took the covers off the fusses and checked the circuits. All are showing 12v. I don't know what else to look for or try. Need help desperately. :blush:
Thanks in advance,

John

 

[billburr]

that clicking noise you could hear could possibly be your starter solenoid you need to test if you are getting power to your solenoid with a multimeter.

 

[ski-d00]

check your solenoid with a voltmeter to see if it is passing voltage through it, just because it clicks doesn't mean it's good.

 

[jcp]

ok. I've got a voltmeter/multimeter and I checked the fuses (Inside a red cover) on the pos battery cable right before the solenoid/starter relay. 12v+ going in. Sorry for not knowing how to do it, but how/where do I check the voltage coming out of it? All I see is a connector with a purple and yellow/brown wires coming out. I'm not sure how to teset the volts coming out of the solenoid. :blush:

Thanks for your input and extreme patience.

John

 

[Bills86e]

Never try starting a ski on a low battery, you will FRY the armatuer.

 

[jcp]

^^^ ???????

 

[jcp]

I replaced the solenoid today. No change!!! All it does is click. Damnit!! I'm frustrated. Any ideas?
John

 

[billburr]

ok first off carry out a voltage drop test to make sure your battery is ok under load.place the multimeter across the battery and try and start the craft if the voltage drops below 9.0v the battery is toast but if the voltage stays the same it means the starter is not even engaging(another problem). to check solenoid operation (located below the fuse box across from the battery) on your solenoid you should have a cable running to it from the positive terminal on the battery,
then from the solenoid another cable running down the side of the fuel tank to your starter(both these cables are red and quite thick), then a two pin plug into the lower part of the solenoid.ok first check that there is good voltage (12.0v or higher) on the solenoid post where the positive battery cable connects to the solenoid, if ok then time to see if there is power running through the solenoid,put your multimeter on the other solenoid post(the one that runs down to your starter)try and start the engine if the you get a good voltage(12.0v or higher)then you have another problem(solenoid ok).if you get no voltage reading then its time to check the two pin plug that plugs into the lower part of the solenoid.remove plug there should be a brown wire and purple wire,check the purple wire
it should have a constant voltage(12.0v) with the key plugged in. then the other wire is your trigger wire from the module which sends a negative
signal when you press the start button with the key plugged in.if you are getting a negative signal while pressing the start button(with key in)you need to replace your starter solenoid.i hope this is not to confusing.

 

[jcp]

Thanks Bill. I just tried testing the solenoid. Top cable has 12.35 volts, when key is off. Bottom cable going to starter has 12volts when I try to start it. Battery drops from 12.35v to 12.0 when pressing start button with key on.

 

[jcp]

I just tested the purple and brown wires. 12volts to purple and 0volts to brown with the key on and trying to start

 

[Bills86e]

If you previously had any water in the hull, chances are it got into the starter and
the Bendix. Bills86e

 

[jcp]

Since I've had this ski only 10 months, I've never noticed more than 1 inch of water in the hull. I don't know about the previous owner. I guess this kind of troublehoot / repair will require a mechanic? I'm not reall mechanically inclined. I'm more of home / car audio video inclined.

 

[jcp]

It was the starter. The inside of the end cap (where the possitive cable conects) the piece that is soldered to the positive post came undone. Chester took it apart on the weekend and was able to swap out the end cap from a damaged starter he had, and came here tonight and put it in. Starts up great and easy. Huge thanks to Chester