Seadoo wouldn’t start- rests, then fired right up

[Adelrocco]

Got a 2003 Seadoo GTI LE RFI that wasn’t running last year. Put in a reman engine, new starter, new starter relay, new water temp sensor, new fuel filter and cleaned out fuel tank, new rectifier, new spark plugs, brand new battery.

Took it out to the lake Friday, it ran great for 3-4 hours Friday. Was breaking in the engine. Stopped several times to swim/eat and the ski fired back up no problems at all, it was great. Got home Friday and pulled the plugs out, ran water out and fogged it.

Took it back to the lake Saturday, same thing. Ran great for 3 hours, multiple stops and it fired after each, no problem. Docked it on an out of water jet ski dock at marina for lunch, when we left it fired up, no problem. When we stared to drive away I thought maybe I should check the fuel level before heading back out (gauge isn’t working) so I pulled back to another dock. Fuel was fine, so went to fire it, and just got starter relay clicks.

Jumped the relay with pliers and could hear a louder click, which told me relay was working, but nothing from starter motor. Checked all fuses, all seemed well. Tried to jump from a battery jumper pack the marina had- still same clicks. Got a ride back to the other marina to get the trailer, was gone about 40 minutes. Just for the hell of it, before asking for a tow over to the launch area to throw it on the trailer, I tried to fire it again, and it started right up.

I ran it for another 20 minutes or so close the the marina just to test it- no problems. Stopped it back by the launch; and it fired perfectly again...

When I got home I put a multimeter on the battery and it read about 12.8 volts, when I started it it dropped to about 12.5, so it was what I expected and I don’t suspect battery problems. Started it a few times since and no indications do that issue again.

Any thoughts on why this happens? Don’t want this to happen again and have it be when I stop at a spot in the middle of the lake!

 

[Digdog]

Starter sounds like something is wrong with it or the connection to it is bad, solenoid could also have a problem.

 

[Adelrocco]

Starter sounds like something is wrong with it or the connection to it is bad, solenoid could also have a problem.

No solenoids, ours has a starter relay. It’s a brand new starter; any idea why it would have issues?

 

[mikidymac]

First never use a jump pack or running vehicles because you can fry the MPEM.

Is the new starter OEM?

 

[Adelrocco]

First never use a jump pack or running vehicles because you can fry the MPEM.

Is the new starter OEM?

The starter is not OEM. I am just unsure as to how it started right back up with no issue after about a half hour of no use- starter is clearly functional...

 

[mikidymac]

The starter can have a bad spot that if it lands on that spot it won’t crank. I would only use an OEM starter. All of the aftermarket ones are crap.

 

[Adelrocco]

Ok so it happened again today- we were out for hours yesterday with no problem, then again today-pulling a tube, everything was great. We cut the engine multiple times while out to get back on and off the tube, and it was firing right back up. Then, one time after we anchored it for about 10 minutes it just wouldn’t start, only got clicks.

I tried to let it sit for a while like I did last time, but nothing still. Just clicks the whole time. Ended up having to get towed back to the marina. I tried to start it again before manually putting it on the trailer, just to see, and same thing, all clicks.

Then, as soon as I got it on the trailer, it fired right up and sounded great, like nothing had happened. Based on the last incidence and this new one, is this more likely a battery issue or a starter issue?

 

[Cheflen]

Ok so it happened again today- we were out for hours yesterday with no problem, then again today-pulling a tube, everything was great. We cut the engine multiple times while out to get back on and off the tube, and it was firing right back up. Then, one time after we anchored it for about 10 minutes it just wouldn’t start, only got clicks.

I tried to let it sit for a while like I did last time, but nothing still. Just clicks the whole time. Ended up having to get towed back to the marina. I tried to start it again before manually putting it on the trailer, just to see, and same thing, all clicks.

Then, as soon as I got it on the trailer, it fired right up and sounded great, like nothing had happened. Based on the last incidence and this new one, is this more likely a battery issue or a starter issue?

Definitely starter, not battery. If it was a battery it would get worse the longer you wait, as the voltage will slowly drop without a charge. Like mikidymac said, only go with oem starters as the aftermarket ones are crap. I learned that the hard way. I never like buying oem things as I think they are overpriced but there are certain things that you just have to buy oem with on seadoos, and the starter is definitely one.

 

[ShadeTreeDad]

I'm having the same issue on my 2003 RX DI. It has given me no trouble for the 4 years I've owned it. Last weekend, all normal until about 2-3 hours into the day. Suddenly, during start attempts, the solenoid would "click", but nothing from the starter. I tried to bridge the solenoid, but no help. I tapped on the rear engine mounting bracket with a socket wrench while pressing the start button and it fired right up. Tow not needed, Yay. Back home on trailer with cold engine, all normal again. My problem seems to only show when the engine is up to temp. Any advice would be great.

I just rebuilt the starter in my other Seadoo [2000 GTX-RFI] while I had the engine out. This one [2003 RX-DI] appears to be an even bigger pain to access. Any tips, articles, or videos on how to get that bugger in and out?

 

[mikidymac]

I'm having the same issue on my 2003 RX DI. It has given me no trouble for the 4 years I've owned it. Last weekend, all normal until about 2-3 hours into the day. Suddenly, during start attempts, the solenoid would "click", but nothing from the starter. I tried to bridge the solenoid, but no help. I tapped on the rear engine mounting bracket with a socket wrench while pressing the start button and it fired right up. Tow not needed, Yay. Back home on trailer with cold engine, all normal again. My problem seems to only show when the engine is up to temp. Any advice would be great.

I just rebuilt the starter in my other Seadoo [2000 GTX-RFI] while I had the engine out. This one [2003 RX-DI] appears to be an even bigger pain to access. Any tips, articles, or videos on how to get that bugger in and out?

Your starter needs new brushes and a clean up.