Non-OEM starter experience anyone?

[Igeeky1]

Sorry but $250 for a starter is just ridiculous. Anybody recommend a good alternative? I am looking at the SBT replacement for my 96 xp 278001301 $100 (http://www.shopsbt.com/sea-doo-jet-ski-starters/39-107.html) but would love to hear if anybody else has used and had experience with it or if anybody has good experience with any others.

Thanks

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I've had good luck so far with a DB Electrical starters. They are in Gray, Tennessee. dbelectrical.com 800-753-2242

But actually you would be better off to rebuild your original, OEM starter.

 

[Igeeky1]

Thanks Seadoo buddy. I just don't know enough about starters to know if a rebuild would help me. Mine simply does not have enough power to turn over engine with plugs installed. Without plugs it turns over and nothing comes out of plug holes.

With plugs installed, I tried from my car battery direct to starter. Essentially red cable to red on starter, black to ground on battery in Seadoo. Got huge spark when connecting to ground. Tried several times, usually got nothing, sometimes it tried, once it even turned over a few times but not long enough to get fuel to go, I was afraid to leave it run too long and disconnected after only a couple seconds. After that I got fuel primed but could not get it to turn over again.

So to my knowledge a starter rebuild is simply replacing the brushes and maybe the o-rings for sealing. Would that be enough to save me or do I need a new starter...or do I have deeper issues?

 

[Seadoobuddy]

By chance did you have the truck running when you used the truck battery to start the Seadoo?

You should be able to take it to a starter/Alternator shop and they can rebuild it for you, if you aren't inclined to do it yourself. I've never done it but others say it fairly easy.

 

[Thumper3322]

I bought a sbt starter before I knew much about rebuilding them etc. I still have my oem so if my sbt dies I will rebuild .

But the sbt Pinder is working for me so far.

 

[Igeeky1]

I did not have my car started when trying to start the SeaDoo, I read somewhere else on this forum not to have it running. I already had the starter apart and really all I see of importance in the rebuild kits are new brushes which are quite easy to install, I just wonder if that will do the trick in this case?

 

[RodInEscondido]

There is some pretty good information in the service/shop manual: section 8, electrical
Good Luck
Rod

 

[Igeeky1]

There is some pretty good information in the service/shop manual: section 8, electrical
Good Luck
Rod

Argh, thank you for so politely pointing this out, feel rather goofy for not looking at it prior. My only excuse is that most shop manuals only go as far as installation/removal this one is way full of more info that I can understand!

 

[Dr Honda]

It will cost you $30 to rebuild your OEM starter... and it will be a MILLION TIMES BETTER than any of the import starters out there.

Check eBay for a rebuild kit.

 

[Rotor13B]

Agreed. Rebuild the starter you have and make sure ALL electrical connections are clean including the battery. You might even want to try that before rebuilding the starter. Weak connections will do what you are describing even with a good battery.

 

[Igeeky1]

It will cost you $30 to rebuild your OEM starter... and it will be a MILLION TIMES BETTER than any of the import starters out there.

Check eBay for a rebuild kit.

Thanks! Ordered http://www.ebay.com/itm/280559127432?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I like that it has the 0-rings and especially the bearing as well as the brushes.

 

[Igeeky1]

Agreed. Rebuild the starter you have and make sure ALL electrical connections are clean including the battery. You might even want to try that before rebuilding the starter. Weak connections will do what you are describing even with a good battery.

Will do. Water and electronics...grrr....I spent hours yesterday tracing down why my trailer lights were not bright. Three down, one to go yet!