Issues with starting

[DavidChampion]

This is my first time posting in the forum. So if this not the right group please let me know.

I have recently purchased a 1998 seadoo GS. I am going through it to get it ready for the water. When I bought it the guy started it with jumping the solenoid to show that it ran. He gave me what he said was a new solenoid which I have installed along with a new battery. I am having issues starting the engine. It starts and runs fine if you jump the solenoid but is intermittent with the switch. I verified the switch is good. The thing I cannot figure is that when I connect the battery cable it sparks and the starter hits a lick. It doesn't continue but every time I touch the battery cable to the post it hits the starter a lick. It also does this with the hot wire going from the solenoid to the front of the craft. If I disconnect it and reconnect it it does the same thing. Any ideas what is causing this?

 

[Mickirig1]

It's a start switch or solenoid issue. You should not have a connection to the solenoid until start button is depressed.

 

[DavidChampion]

Best I can tell, the wire from the start switch goes into the "mpem", and then out to the solenoid. Could there be an issue with the mpem that when you attach the power cable and it powers up it sends a signal to the solenoid for a split second?

 

[Coastiejoe]

You are correct. Switch to MPEM and then to Solenoid.
It sounds like something like a relay is stuck within the MPEM.

However, it could be the solenoid. Stuck and then unstick a when voltage is applied but not sustained.

One test you could do is, check for continuity on the two large lugs of the solenoid BEFORE you connect the battery. If you have continuity, then the solenoid is stuck. If not, connect the battery. If the starter ticks for a moment, then I feel you have a MPEM issue.

 

[Bills86e]

The mpem red ring wire goes on the battery lug, not the to starter lug of the solenoid.