Hey guys... so my ski has 4hrs on it.. and after bringing it home and washing it, I noticed that the gauges had turned on and it was beeping. I put the key on it and it wouldn't start. After a while the gauges turned off. Then I could put the key in and start it. I turned it off. Gauges stayed on and it wouldn't start again. So.... I did eventually find part of the problem. This seems to be caused by getting water in the bow. Apparently there is something in the bow, likely under the battery that is shorting out. I'm kinda pissed about this... The bow isn't water tight and it seems incredibly stupid for them to have designed this thing with something so close to the bottom of the hull that could short out. Anyway... just wondering if anyone else has had similar issues? I'm going to take it to the dealer, but I'd prefer to have some idea. And God help them if they tell me it's going to be two weeks before they can get to it. Someone will die.
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Electrical issues with new 2013 GTR215
- Thread starter SamNJax
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I haven't a clue about what's wrong with your SeaDoo but I can give you a bit of advice. Go have a big drink of your favorite adult beverage, and cool down a bit. Think about what you're going to say to the dealer, be firm but not demanding. They are much more apt to fix a ski for a nice guy than a hot head. Get a good nights sleep and take it to the dealer in the morning. It's a new ski and it's under warranty.
Lou
Lou
I'm with Lou on this one. I'm not quite sure what the problem is or whats causing it. Your discription of it is vague at best and quite frankly doesn't make much sense. "water getting in the bow" not sure what that means. Is the water getting inside the hull? if so how much and where is it coming from? What makes you think if coming in the bow area? Just trying to help you out here.
The problem is that the gauges/electrical system is energized without having pressed the start button. And while in this state, the engine will not start. By "water in the bow", yes, I mean in the hull. I ride in the ocean mostly so it's not uncommon to hit a large wave head-on or even flip over completely. The second time it happened, I was rinsing some sunscreen out of the front part of the storage compartment. There really wasn't much water in it when the electronics turned on. In any case, all connections barring the lugs on the battery possibly, should be water-tight. There's really no reason that any amount of water in the hull should cause a short.
So while this happened to me this time in my driveway, there's no reason to think that after a particularly rough day in the water, I wouldn't end up stranded when my ski decides to short out.
So while this happened to me this time in my driveway, there's no reason to think that after a particularly rough day in the water, I wouldn't end up stranded when my ski decides to short out.
Nothing is "water tight" on these machines. Most things are water resistant but if you take on a big wave or flip over water will get into places that isn't meant to. The big thing causing your problems from what you mention is the salt water getting into places it has no business due to flipping over. At this point all you can do is clean all connections and use dielectric grease on them which will reduce the chance of water corrosion. Also stop flipping the ski over! It was never meant to be flipped upside down in salt water.
What is your flush routine after every ride in salt water?
What is your flush routine after every ride in salt water?
I think you misunderstood. I didn't flip it over. I'm just stating that's a possibility. And I know the doors/covers are not watertight. But the Electrical connectors (plugs) are (usually anyway). I understand that against high pressure, even those are susceptible... But that's not the case here. Just having water flow into the bottom of the hull energized the circuit while I was washing it. And I rinse/flush every time I ride.
These SeaDoo's are built very solid including the wiring harness and connections.. You obviously have a shorted or open circuit that I'm sure with a quick trip to the dealer will be easily rectified. I have had water get into the engine compartment at times.. I also spray down my entire engine compartment full blast with my garden hose for several minutes whenever I've riden aggresively in salt water (which is what I usually am in).. Point being my ski has pad plenty of water in every nook and cranny there is inside the engine compartment.. I've never had an issue.. My GTX SC is 8 years old and going strong.. They are very tolerant of water and will run fine. However no engine likes salt water and you do need to take steps to ensure no residual salt is left inside the engine compartment. Flushing the jet pump is one thing but make sure you are flushing out the engine compartment.... And after it dries applying a good corrosion resistant oil spray onto every surface of the engine comparment...
My 2005 RXT never had problems with this either. And I sprayed water in just about every place possible. This new ski... however, seems to have some bare connectors that are shorting. I do spray off the engine compartment with the water hose to clean off the salt and I also use an anti-corrosion spray on the engine.
I definitely wouldn't have expected to short out the electronics with a water hose. Basically, I'm wondering if the design of the ski is sketchy (which seems unlikely) or if the service people didn't do something correctly when they were prepping it for take home.
I definitely wouldn't have expected to short out the electronics with a water hose. Basically, I'm wondering if the design of the ski is sketchy (which seems unlikely) or if the service people didn't do something correctly when they were prepping it for take home.
I can't speak to the design of the 2013 GTR but I've had very good luck with SeaDoo.. Much better luck than I've had with Yamaha! My money is on the dealer prep or just a miscue from the factory in not fully securing a connection, etc. Where in Florida/what dealer did you get your ski? I'm in Tampa area and know most of them from the various bikes and ski's I've owned...
jimraab
Active Member
My Seadoo took on water about 2 years ago. The engine was completely submerged in salt water for about 2 hours. I can tell you that once I drained the water and got the engine running, I never had any electrical problems with my ski since that time. Now watch, I will have a problem next time out. 
Good luck with your Ski!
Good luck with your Ski!Jacksonville.... Don't remember the dealer name... it's on Atlantic Blvd & 295. Might be "Jacksonville Powersports"
Oh ok then yes I did misunderstand you. In that case I would just take it to the dealer and let them know what issue you're having. I would however try and be calm about it, it will get you farther than going in all pissed off about it. Yes I understand the frustration of buying something new and having problems.
PeterC4
Active Member
Sounds like a short. I believe the battery is at the stern not the bow - at least it is for my GTX and Wake Pro. If the gauges turned on without the key, something triggered it likely from a factory defect, so a trip to the dealer and a good explanation and I bet they find the problem quickly. My SeaDoos have been bullet proof. I have left them out in rain storms uncovered, had dirt and debris in the intake only to go backwards then forwards and have it shoot out, I've had a guest fall off my GTX and almost get it fully under water - then run it aground, I have had someone smack the front of my Wake Pro...HARD and outside of changing the front bumper cover for $99 not a thing has gone wrong. I use them for two months, then store them for 12 months up north likely in sub-zero weather sometimes. When my GTX was a little difficult to start, a quick tightening of the ground and some water time and it was starting like a champ. I think SeaDoos are pretty tough all in all. You get a lot of complaints on forums like this, but rarely do you hear the good stuff. Change the oil regularly, use premium gas, keep debris out of the intake as best you can and when you use, let it warm up a touch before you get all she's got. It will be fine.
The batteries are in the stern of the models with the "S3" hull. The GTRs and several others have a different hull.
Ok... So took it to the dealer. So on top of the battery, I had noticed there is what looks like a connector socket but there was nothing plugged into it. Apparently that is the cap for the diagnostic connector. Whoever installed the battery before I picked it up... Didn't put the connector back into the cap and so it was sitting in the bottom of the hull. And whenever water got in the hull, it shorted the connector. It took just a minute for the guy to point it out. So that was nice... but the guy who preps for customer take home maybe needs to be retrained...
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