Newbie and his 1997 GTI

[lilkabner]

Purchased my first pwc last year and had a good summer with no issues. Getting ready for this summer, I ran into an odd problem and don't have a good sense of what it might be. I get no beeps when I put the key on, and no gauges either, but the ski starts right up every time. I tried to get into advanced diagnostics mode, but no beeps with that either. I tested the buzzer (which I did have to replace last year) and it is good. I have 12v on the 5amp mpem fuse that is still good. All other fuses test ok as well. I have good connectivity from the mpem on both (hot/ground) leads to the gauges and to the buzzer.

So far I have read that it could be the dess post, or a bad mpem, or grounding problem. I am not sure what to test to narrow it down at all. Just ordered a new post, since that seems to be the easiest fix, even though I cant understand how that would be the problem.

 

[GGuillot]

Purchased my first pwc last year and had a good summer with no issues. Getting ready for this summer, I ran into an odd problem and don't have a good sense of what it might be. I get no beeps when I put the key on, and no gauges either, but the ski starts right up every time. I tried to get into advanced diagnostics mode, but no beeps with that either. I tested the buzzer (which I did have to replace last year) and it is good. I have 12v on the 5amp mpem fuse that is still good. All other fuses test ok as well. I have good connectivity from the mpem on both (hot/ground) leads to the gauges and to the buzzer.

So far I have read that it could be the dess post, or a bad mpem, or grounding problem. I am not sure what to test to narrow it down at all. Just ordered a new post, since that seems to be the easiest fix, even though I cant understand how that would be the problem.

Does it have an aftermarket MPEM? Very odd, but I've heard unusual issues can arise on the aftermarket MPEM's or when the OEM MPEM has been programmed to bypass DESS.

 

[lilkabner]

I believe it is the original mpem, and there is no dess bypass. Think I forgot to mention that it does not start without the key. Only starts when the key in connected.

 

[GGuillot]

I believe it is the original mpem, and there is no dess bypass. Think I forgot to mention that it does not start without the key. Only starts when the key in connected.

Since you unplugged and tested the buzzer being good, put the multi meter leads on the MPEM side and when you put the key on see if it pulses 12 volts. It's a brief pulse, but you should see it.

I'd suspect a weak ground somewhere to the MPEM since the gauges and buzzer are both an issue and that's where they directly connect to.

 

[lilkabner]

So no go on the 12v pulse at startup. But I did take a second look at the mpem and I am pretty sure it is an aftermarket item. Its pretty clean for 23 year old part. And it doesn't look like the OEM ones I have seen online. I am gonna order another one and from amazon and see what that does for me.

 

[lilkabner]

Well that was it. Replaced the mpem and got my beeps, and gauges back. Couple things I've learned about some of theses aftermarket units is they work with any key and the don't do diagnostics mode.

 

[Joe Go]

How much was that part?. Im having a similar problem with my 97 Gti as well. I just bought it about a month ago. No beeps when key is in. Charged the battery on trickle charger got a full charge after a day or 2. Also I have an oil leak that I think is coming from the grommets. I pour oil and it starts leaking into bottom of my hull. Good thing I only poured a lil bit at first.

 

[mikidymac]

The beeper is really common to go bad so if it powers up with the lanyard or pressing the start button then it’s just a bad beeper.

 

[Joe Go]

The beeper is really common to go bad so if it powers up with the lanyard or pressing the start button then it’s just a bad beeper.

Thanks for the info

 

[lilkabner]

How much was that part?. Im having a similar problem with my 97 Gti as well. I just bought it about a month ago. No beeps when key is in. Charged the battery on trickle charger got a full charge after a day or 2. Also I have an oil leak that I think is coming from the grommets. I pour oil and it starts leaking into bottom of my hull. Good thing I only poured a lil bit at first.

It was 135$. But would test/replace the beeper first. You can just give the it 12v at the connector under the hood and it should beep.