Strange won't - start problem. 95 XP

[pawn]

Hi all:

I pulled the tarp off my '95 717 Sea-doo XP last weekend, put the battery in (that was on a trickle charger all winter) and sadly, it turned over a couple of times and quit. I charged the battery overnight, pulled the plugs to make it easy and nothing but a click each time I hit the switch. I can easily turn the drive shaft even with the plugs in.

Instead of trouble shooting endlessly, I did the easy things and I replaced the solenoid and put in a new battery. Again, with no plugs, it turned over 2 or 3 times then just clicking (by the way - only one click per button press, not multiple clicks like I see in Youtube videos).

When I jumped the solenoid leads, nothing happened and I put a multimetre across the leads and got 13 volts so I felt pretty damned confident I had a bad starter so I pulled it out and much to my chagrin, it seems good.

What am I missing here? I have a good engine, good battery, good solenoid and good starter motor. If it was a wiring thing, wouldn't jumping the solenoid leads have bypassed that?

Any advice or insight will be greatly appreciated. This ski ran like a champ last summer and I think it deserves to be brought up to tip-top shape.

 

[mwat65]

Starter.

 

[JJinSC]

Starter.

but check connection on starter and ground wire first.

 

[pawn]

Thanks. I pulled the starter out (with the wires) and hooked the ends of the wires up to a battery and it works fine. I don't think it's the starter unless these motors perform differently under load than on their own.

 

[mwat65]

Does it kick hard when you bench test it? It should. I have several that work on the bench but too weak under load. Just pulled one out of a Gti like that. But clean all your connections like JJ said .Grounds , connections to battery post. Check grounds in your box by the solenoid. Make sure they are tight and clean. Still think you have a weak starter.

 

[mwat65]

See if it turns over with the plugs out. If it does then you have a weak starter.

 

[pawn]

The engine turns over really easy with plugs out (and I can also turn it with plugs in).

But never mind: I just went out to check whether the starter kicks hard when bench tested (couldn't remember) and it doesn't work at all now. I was right initially (as were you): bad starter.

Thanks very much.

 

[mikidymac]

Don’t buy a cheap one. Only OEM. You can also buy new brushes and that typically fixes them.

 

[pawn]

Don’t buy a cheap one. Only OEM. You can also buy new brushes and that typically fixes them.

I don't mind spending a few dollars to avoid a "learning experience". I will definitely get the OEM over the cheapo version, thanks for the advice.

 

[Chester]

How do you know the batter is good? Did you test it?

Chester

 

[pawn]

How do you know the batter is good? Did you test it?

Chester

Brand new and it operates the VTS no problem. Anyway, I know it's the starter now. Thanks.

 

[pawn]

Woohoo, got my new OEM starter today. Put it in and the thing started up like a champ in 2 seconds after a harsh Canadian winter. I feel like I really lucked into a nice machine when I bought it last year. If anyone cares, I bought a brand new GTI 155 SE this spring and I planned on selling my XP but I've really taken a shine to her and I've put so much work into it, II don't know if I can do it. My kid is 14 so in a couple of years we could be riding side by side.

I think I'll be working on some of the gauge issues soon and I hope people here won't be annoyed with the upcoming questions.

 

[etemplet]

Never trust a new battery. I had one play cat and mouse with me for a week.