engine #2.. wont start on `97 speedster

[johnnybuick]

My 97` speedster with 2 rotax 720 eng`s..seems to be fine starting up engine #1..starting eng #2 is a problem ..a weak cranking motion & only 3 volts of power showing to eng #2 solenoid..when we connect #2 eng power cable to solenoid #1 ..eng # 2 fires up fine...
so,we have now replaced Eng#2 solenoid but still have no cranking power going to eng#2.. all earth wires are clean..have been told by a sparky it could be the whole electical mother board that needs to be replaced..could this be correct ?If so where can we obtain another mother board? ..any assistance in anyway would be appreciated..thankyou john

 

[octaneski]

wow Johnny... That sucks.
First of all. You should have 12 volts to one side of both solenoids at all times.
If you don't then you have a wire problem between the batteries and the solenoids.
Then from your start button you should have 12 volts to each solenoid. If you don't then you still have a wire problem.
once the start button delivers the 12 volts to say #1 solenoid and it cranks over and goes fine. Then you hit the start button for #2 and it won't crank then you either have a bad solenoid, starter, engine, or pump.
Probably in that order too.

 

[johnnybuick]

nah i wish it was that simple... but

Thanx for your efforts Oct,.. & yeh it sux bulk !! but anyways.., around 4 new solenoids have been tried & tested & the starter has been removed & tested to be fine... now,, as mentioned ..Engine #2 fires up like new when joined to solenoid #1. (thus making the starter , starter button & engine & pump as u mention not the problem)
this 97` speedster has only seen approx 60hrs of water in its life ! . & it was upon the 60th hr whilst fishing on water at Semaphore beach, South Australia that eng #2 just decided not to crank over so swiftly anymore. These bombadiers were made to bust our balleenies & our wallets.
I dont see any of these chink bombadier technicians replying to these forums..

.. all hiding in their darkened doorways clutching our money they are !!

 

[seadooya]

.Engine #2 fires up like new when joined to solenoid #1. (thus making the starter , starter button & engine & pump as u mention not the problem)

Was engine #2 fired up with solenoid #1, USING start button #1? If so, then i say, your start button #2 is bad.

 

[wayne 3689]

Check your start in nuteral switch ,I have seen a single switch with a dual micro switch and one side of the switch fail in later model speedsters

 

[johnnybuick]

thanx to all..these queries have been tried & tested but still eng #2 wont start..i dare say the elec power module is kaput !im guessing the gel filled unit is the problem..anybody know where a replacement module for a decent price can be located ? or can we some how test this module ?

 

[seadoosnipe]

Kaput?...no, don't think so

This is not the first thread on the twin engine set up having a problem on starting.

The biggest mistake Seadoo made on these twin engine set ups was how they were grounded. I know you said you checked your earth (ground) wires but your problem is going to be in the configuration, not the module.

To understand line drop is important. The engine close to the battery has less line, so it has less voltage drop than the motor that is opposite the battery. You have your positive wires coming off the battery, with each going to a starter solenoid. Then, from the solenoid to the starter.

Now, if you look at the grounding system, you have your negative cable coming off the battery, grounding your engine at the bolt of the starter at the magneto cover. A total of about 2 or 3 feet max. Now, trace the ground wire to your outboard (the engine furthest from the battery) motor. You'll notice that motor does not have a direct link to the battery. It has a ground wire that crosses from your starter's ground to a bolt at the left side of the magneto casing (may be bolted in a different location, not all twin engines are designed the same). The total line is about 5 or 6 feet and it's not one solid line. It's two lines.

I'm not sure of your set up but most twin engines have the battery on the starboard (right side) side. If this is the case, the motor your having a problem with is your port. To test my theory, you'll want to pull the battery out. Disconnect or come up with enough wire to make a new connection. Find a place to set the battery for the test. Run the negative wire (earth) directly from the battery to the ground at the starter. Now run your lead wire directly to the solenoid for that engine. Your positive wire from the solenoid to the starter should already be in place. Now, give that a try. See what you come up wih.

Who ever told you your MPEM (module) is bad or going bad, doesn't know what they are talking about. Stay away from that mechanic.:cheers: