Partial Start

[Kuzma823]

I am working on a 1998 GSXL with the silver engine. Just bought the ski and the previous owner had the engine rebuilt. While looking testing it, presale, it had issues starting but I attributed it to bad gas and after several attempts I was able to get it started. Today I went to test it again while I was doing other work and it is having issues again.

When I go to start the ski it will crank for a split second and then stop, the info center will go out and come back on as well. The buzzer and dess seem to be working, the battery is at 12.5 volts and the plugs are new. I pulled the plugs to try and crank the engine without them in but the same thing occurs. I tried to jump the posts on the starter relay but nothing happened, not even sparks from what I could see. Could this be any thing other than a loose connection?

I dont think its the relay,starter, switch, dess, or mpem since it seems to try and start, and I did get it to start a month or two ago. When it comes to the wiring it seems as though someone did some bad electrical work on the ski. The power wires and ground have copper or brass looking connectors which I dont recall seeing on other skis (little specs of green are actually developing on them) and there is a good amount of electrical tape near the connecters (leading me to believe that this is not factory work).

Finally, were does the ground from the battery attach to on the block? I looked at a manual online and it seems that it should be connected near the starter but mine is connected to one of the bolts on a RAVE valve housing, any one else have this?

Thank you

 

[Dr Honda]

Sounds like a bad main power cable, or corrosion behind the battery terminals. Try cleaning all of the power cables.

 

[Kuzma823]

Thanks for the information Dr Honda. I cleaned all the connections I could access but the problem persists. I could not get to the starter cable because I didnt have the appropriate tools to get the starter off, I will check that this weekend. I also found a member with a similar problem and his was solved with a new starter, so I am just going to replace that too while I have the old one out.

 

[LouDoo]

You also might want to have the battery load tested, 12.5v. is a little low, should be more like 13-13.5v. with no load. Your battery might not have enough capacity to start the ski.

Any auto parts store should be able to load test the battery.

Lou

P.S. Its not an easy job to replace the starter, if you do use a good quality starter or rebuild the one you have. I have had good luck with one I purchased from Overtons, or better use OEM (high dollar).

 

[Kuzma823]

Hahaha, getting the battery tested might not be a bad idea. I did try another battery that was fresh off the tender with similar results so I am pretty sure my starter is the issue but who knows with my luck lately.

I ended up ordering a starter from overtons (arrowhead is the company I believe) so I will put that one in. I couldnt find a rebuild kit for the 951 starters but if anyone knows where I could find one I wouldnt mind rebuilding my current starter and keeping it as a spare.

Thanks

 

[TFWildman112]

you'll be able to buy new starter brushes just google "sea doo starter brushes" and from dennis kirk they have the starter drives and there's your brand new starter if you need the drive even. it's pretty east to rebuild em. i'd just through in some new brushes and call it good. you should also read this just a thought http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?23492-Don-t-buy-a-cheap-aftermarket-starter-here-s-why

 

[Kuzma823]

Thanks for the info, I do plan to rebuild the starter... even though it turns out the issue isnt the starter

I swapped the starter with a new one from Overtons and tried starting the ski. I had the same results with the new starter as I did with the old one. I then took the battery to a local car parts store and had it load tested, showed to be low on charge but overall it was still good. I went back to the ski and tried to get it running but I ended up draining the battery, so I used my truck

I ran jumper cables from the engine (ground) and the battery side of the solenoid to the trucks battery (truck was not running - I have heard that can destroy a ski). Still not working, so I touched the power lead to the other side of the solenoid (starter side) and the engine started cranking! I know I tried this before and it didnt work but maybe I didnt have a good connection. With this information it seems that either my solenoid or my switch is going out. I plan to order a new solenoid this weekend, hopefully that finally fixes the issue.

Thanks for everybodys help

 

[Kuzma823]

Got a new solenoid today and installed it. I attempted to crank the ski and it started the same way, it hesitated and barely moved starter. Then on the third attempt it started! Issue now is that the starter wouldnt stop! The engine ran for a second and died but the starter kept running. The only way to stop it was to disconnect the battery. In case it matters, I had the battery connected to the ski via jumper cables (ground on exhaust bolt and pos on red battery lead) so that I could quickly disconnect them.

I checked the resistance across the solenoid and it showed that the circuit was still live, even after I removed all wires (including the switch). After it was pulled out of the ski for about five minutes the circuit died and everything seemed ok, so I reinstalled it just to see if it was a fluke but the same thing happend... a few failed cranks and then it kept the starter running. It sounds to me that my solenoid is sticking on (and maybe having issues even engaging) but what are the odds that my NEW solenoid is DOA?

 

[purple_people_eater]

have you tested your start/stop switch?

 

[Kuzma823]

Yes, I tested it when I first had this issue and it seemed fine... only gave 12volts when pressed. I did notice that when not pressed that both leads are grounds is this correct?

Also, I used the mpem test where you press the start button 5 times without the DESS key and it gave the 1 long and 1 short beep then attempted to crank when I hit the button with the key on. I am assuming/hoping that means my mpem is ok.

Btw, your signiture is running a little too close to home right now

 

[purple_people_eater]

well you could have gotten a bad soleniod, not likely tho. try checking you main ground to the engine if you have not already.

 

[Kuzma823]

Solenoid seems fine, starter works and the button is ok.... its going to the shop tomorrow. I am hoping I either missed something or its a lose wire somewhere but I am preparing for a new MPEM Ill update the thread once I find out what was wrong so it here for anyone who runs into this issue in the future.

Thank you to everyone for the advice

 

[Kuzma823]

Got it back from the shop. They say the new starter solenoid was bad (put old one it and it worked), the power cable was 'rotted through' and that the battery was shot. All seems to be working now, so hopefully I can finally go riding