Start Issue

[xintersecty]

My brand new/used 2007 RXT on the dealer will not start on the third ride out. ARGH. I got the ski out of the water and narrowed down to the starter relay. Here are my diagnostic steps:

1) used a volt meter check power on batter side, all good.
2) check power on start side, no power on crank. (that's bad)
3) used a pliers and jumped across the terminals, motor started.

Now I think it's a bad starter relay. Hopefully my dealer has one in stock. Is there anything else I can check? That can cause this issue. Is there anything else I can replace when I am in that section of the ski?

 

[Coastiejoe]

My brand new/used 2007 RXT on the dealer will not start on the third ride out. ARGH. I got the ski out of the water and narrowed down to the starter relay. Here are my diagnostic steps:

1) used a volt meter check power on batter side, all good.
2) check power on start side, no power on crank. (that's bad)
3) used a pliers and jumped across the terminals, motor started.

Now I think it's a bad starter relay. Hopefully my dealer has one in stock. Is there anything else I can check? That can cause this issue. Is there anything else I can replace when I am in that section of the ski?

Could be the start/stop switch. Test the feed/trigger wire that goes to the solenoid. I think it is either pink or yellow in color. See if you get 12 volts when you press the start button. If so, then yes, replace the solenoid.

 

[AircraftDoc]

Stress test the Battery. The relay won't work with a low amp bad battery.

Most of the time it's a bad battery.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Based in his #3 statement that it starts when the solenoid is jumped I have to assume the battery has more than enough amps to operate the solenoid as it operates the starter.


Repairing and selling iPads, iPhones and Mini iPads.

 

[AircraftDoc]

Based in his #3 statement that it starts when the solenoid is jumped I have to assume the battery has more than enough amps to operate the solenoid as it operates the starter.


Repairing and selling iPads, iPhones and Mini iPads.

The magnet coil solenoid needs correct volts and amps. You can jump and the starter will turn with a low battery (causing more heat and hurting the starter). Ohms law.
... I went through this. Jumping should only be done after the battery has properly be tested. You can cause some wear and damage. You can burn out a starter.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I'm not arguing the ohms law theory. It is just that Seadoo starters require more amperage than most starter. If you can crank a loaded Seaddoo starter you are going to operate the solenoid for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[xintersecty]

I'm not arguing the ohms law theory. It is just that Seadoo starters require more amperage than most starter. If you can crank a loaded Seaddoo starter you are going to operate the solenoid for sure.

One thing I forgot to mention was I swapped batteries to my backup battery as my zero diagnostic step. I had placed that battery on charge before the swap. I picked up a solenoid at lunch. I think the start button does work as I can hear a distinct click when I press the start button. I had not used the multimeter on signal.

All good stuff here in troubleshooting. I will swap it out and take pictures.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Your garden variety battery load tester should include a handy analog meter useful for display of battery voltage while diagnosing the starting circuit for a defective starter motor impedance matching device (solenoid).

 

[AircraftDoc]

My correction, the solenoid needs correct voltage sending the juice on through. If you have a battery with an internal short, the voltage and amps will drop. Give the battery a day between charging and stress testing.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

My correction, the solenoid needs correct voltage sending the juice on through. If you have a battery with an internal short, the voltage and amps will drop. Give the battery a day between charging and stress testing.

Right, everyone needs an analog load tester IMO. Don't leave home without it!

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

2) check power on start side, no power on crank. (that's bad) I think the start button does work as I can hear a distinct click when I press the start button.

Sure sounds like a new solenoid is the ticket.

 

[xintersecty]

Replaced Solenoid last night and was able to entertain my out of town guest. They were very happy.



A couple of things, the starter solenoid was superseded by a new part. According to my local parts guy, the old solenoid was problematic. I personally suspect that the old one had carbon build up on the internal contacts rendering it noneffective.

The new part does not fit exactly on the rail as well as the old one.
Procedure for replacing the starter solenoid
1) Disconnect negative ground from battery (a long extension socket might short)
2) pull back the red housing and use a 11mm socket and remove the two screws holding the cables
3) Disconnect the signal cable
4) slide the solenoid towards the front and press down. That should get it over the retaining slip. Moving it from side to side helps.
5) Slide in the new one by holding your tongue in the upper side of your mouth and it may slip on. Optional cussing maybe necessary.
6) Reconnect the cables and the battery.
7) Start ski and enjoy.

 

[xintersecty]

I found a great post that follows up on this issue:
http://stevejenkins.com/blog/2013/07/howto-sea-doo-ticking-noise-when-you-press-the-start-button-replace-the-solenoid/