Engine cranks when I imediatly attach the battery w/o pressing start button - 97 xp

[darrylgood]

Hello All,

Question is the title. Is this a Mpem problem. Solenoid is working fine by the way.

Thanks so much!

 

[darrylgood]

97 Sea Doo xp

 

[undies1993]

Will pushing the button stop it?

 

[darrylgood]

Nope

I have to quickly unscrew my battery terminal/connection

 

[undies1993]

I would check the switch then.

 

[darrylgood]

Well it actually happens when the positive or negative is screwed on, then i touch the other side to the terminal and right away the engine starts turning over. I dont even touch the switch.

 

[soccerdan90]

Your switch could be keeping the circuit together at all times and not properly working. That could be the reason.

 

[undies1993]

Your switch could be keeping the circuit together at all times and not properly working. That could be the reason.

Thats what I was trying to suggest.

 

[darrylgood]

great thanks guys,

Any idea on how to open up that switch to check?

Thanks so much

 

[soccerdan90]

Test the wires from the switch. To get to them take off you handlebar cover and you will see them. One should show some power and the other one shouldnt. When you hit the switch the one that didnt should get power. Correct me if I'm wrong but this seems logical.

 

[Dr Honda]

Verify that the solenoid is actually going open by removing the plug from it, that goes back to the MPEM... and check the start/stop switch.

Unfortunately... I've seen MPEM failures of the type you are describing.

 

[darrylgood]

Thanks Tony

Would you mind giving a bit more instructions. Once I remove the bottom plug from the solenoid, do I then connect the battery? What am I looking for? thanks

 

[92rslt1]

Mine was doing the same thing. Its pretty common unfortunetly It stopped and I never found out why it was doin it. If you unplug the solenoid harness then check continutity between the solenoid post that will tell you if its the solenoid. If theres no continutity when its unplugged, then its the switch. The mpems will do crazy things when the grounds are loose or terminals are dirty.

 

[Dr Honda]

Thanks Tony

Would you mind giving a bit more instructions. Once I remove the bottom plug from the solenoid, do I then connect the battery? What am I looking for? thanks

Yes, disconnect the plug, and them hook up the battery. If it still cranks... the solenoid contacts have fused closed, and you need a solenoid. If it doesn't crank... the MPEM is cranking the engine. That could be a bad switch... but it could be a roasted MPEM.

 

[bigJake]

sorry, don't want to insult your intelligence and ask what seems like a stupid question but just want to clarify because I had a similiar problem a couple years ago where I would connect the battery and the solenoid would start to spin. So just wanted to clarify if the engine is actually cranking or just the solenoid spinning.

 

[Dr Honda]

The solenoid doesn't spin. It's just a switch. If the solenoid goes closed... the starter will spin the engine. SO... right now, his engine will crank as soon as he hooks up the battery. We are trying to figure out if he needs a $30 switch, or a $500 MPEM.

 

[bigJake]

sorry, my coffee hasn't kicked in yet. I guess my problem was the starter gear was spinning as soon as the battery cable was connected but not engaging the engine so the engine was not actually cranking. that was the distinction I was trying to make.

 

[darrylgood]

So I have done test 1 - unplugged the plug on the solenoid. It would not turn, so it is the switch or Mpem. Could it be that the conection to the mpem is dirty? Is there any type of tests I can do?

I also have started trying to get at the switch but im having a bit of trouble getting it off.

Any advice would be great

Thanks again

 

[Dr Honda]

Disconnect the switch from the MPEM. If it still kicks the solenoid closed... the MPEM is done.

 

[darrylgood]

Thanks guys, cleaned up all the mpem terminal/connection and that seemed to do the trick.

It now will only turn over when I press the start button.

But of course now I cant get it to start......

 

[92rslt1]

check for spark. Then check mpem connection that goes to the mag cover for build up or oxidization. Same thing happened to me. I ordered a new harness hoping its going to help.