1996 seadoo gtx wont start

[twopugsforme]

i bought this 1996 gtx a few years ago and it has been a fairly good runner. Shortly after i bought it it started giving me trouble starting, clicking almost like the starter is not engaging. At first i thought maybe the lanyard was not making a good connection.I have been told by the marina that this model requires a lanyard that is computer programed so i havent really persued that. while trying to start it i have to continue to press the start button until i get lucky and i decides to try to turn over.i havent had the battery tested yet but it is fairly new and has plenty of voltage( i know this doesnt gaurantee it is good).I noticed a box by the battery,the positive wire off the battery goes into this box,also the negative ground, not sure what it is.Any help would be greatly appreciated as it is still on the lift in the water and starting to get cold out.Thanks in advanced.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

When you push the lanyard on do you get two beeps? If you do not get the two beeps (maybe only one long beep) you need to pull the lanyard off and put it back on.

If you get the two beeps and it will not crank find the wires coming from the switch and pull the connector. Get a jumper wire and cross the two contacts and see if it will start.

 

[twopugsforme]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

actually i dont think i beeps at all, i think it would beep when we first bought it but i dont believe it beeps when i put the lanyard on and i have tried to take it off and put it back on, just doesnt seem to make the connection.Would this be a bad lanyard or possibly a loose wire or a short or ground issue?

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

actually i dont think i beeps at all, i think it would beep when we first bought it but i dont believe it beeps when i put the lanyard on and i have tried to take it off and put it back on, just doesnt seem to make the connection.Would this be a bad lanyard or possibly a loose wire or a short or ground issue?

If your not getting anything then either it is a bad lanyard or it has a bad connection between the lanyard connection and the computer. If you know of someone else you has a lanyard try theirs and while it won't start you should get one beep. (That is if your beeper is working) When you put the lanyard on does anything on the dash turn on?

 

[twopugsforme]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

I just went down to the water and tried the lanyard, no beeps and lights flashed but didnt stay on. Pressed the start button and got an continuall himming sound , not even a click. So maybe i am digging to deep, maybe even though the battery shows enough voltage it doesnt have enough cranking amps. The problem is , it is still in the water, i really just want to get it started so i can get it on the trailer,then i can start digging a little deeper wants i have it on dry land.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

If you can find a portable jump start box or another battery try it. You can use any 12V battery and some jumper cables. Don't use a battery charger and try to jump it, the plug in type will fire your computer when starting. You can use a battery charger to charge the battery.

 

[twopugsforme]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

Thanks for the help.I have to go to work now but will try some of these ideas in the morning,again thanks alot for your time and i will keep you posted on any success/or lack of

 

[lexer440]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

I wouldnt worry overly about the two beeps, mine has worked well last couple of years and it never beeps when I insert the lanyard. You may have as suggested a weak battery or connections, remove plugs and see if it turns over, make sure battery connections are clean and tight especially ground.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

Whoa whoa whoa....lots of bad info here.

The "beeper" not working doesn't really mean anything. Those are notoriously flaky and go out all the time.

Your ski is equipped with the DESS style lanyard - you can not jump the wires or use someone elses key.

If your lights come on your key and post are good.

Do not jump start your ski, repeat: DO NOT JUMP START A SEA DOO JET SKI! The computers are very sensitive and using anything but a single jet ski battery can fry the main computer, the cost of which to repair for this ski in question would be about what it's market value is.

Sounds to me like your battery is weak or the starter is not engaging properly.

Remove the battery, charge it, have it load tested. You need a good battery before you continue testing.

 

[lexer440]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

Don't use a battery charger and try to jump it, the plug in type will fire your computer when starting.

You may have as suggested a weak battery or connections, remove plugs and see if it turns over, make sure battery connections are clean and tight especially ground.

Bad advice?? - Pretty much what you said brian, maybe you should read more.

 

[twopugsforme]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

If i am understanding this correctly, if the lights come on then the lanyard is good. I believe it is probably my batttery.I have it on the charger now.even though bit shows good voltage it is probably dropping as soon as i hit the button,i am doing this alone so i cant really do both.If the battery doesnt take a charge i will buy a new one this weekend.My first concern is to get it out of the water as the weather is starting to cool quickly, then i will have the rest of the winter to try to figure out the trouble as to why it takes several pushes of the start button to even attempt to engage.Thanks to eveyone that has helped, will continue to follow this thread for further advice.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

When he asked about beeps you said (in part)

If your not getting anything then either it is a bad lanyard or it has a bad connection between the lanyard connection and the computer.

Also:

If you can find a portable jump start box or another battery try it. You can use any 12V battery and some jumper cables. Don't use a battery charger and try to jump it, the plug in type will fire your computer when starting. You can use a battery charger to charge the battery.

With the exception of the highlighted part this is bad advice - IMO of course. Not trying to start a big back and forth thing here just trying to help a guy get his ski running.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

If i am understanding this correctly, if the lights come on then the lanyard is good.

Not 100% sure on the lights only. But with the other things you've described (cranking sometimes, starter making noise) - yes your DESS key (lanyard) is good.

If it's not the battery the next place I would look is the ground connections, specifically the main ground wire, they can "rot" from the inside out.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

When he asked about beeps you said (in part)

Also:



With the exception of the highlighted part this is bad advice - IMO of course. Not trying to start a big back and forth thing here just trying to help a guy get his ski running.

Your opinion is either not valid or mine is not understood. If you can a 12V battery and set it beside the battery in the craft and jump from it without the assistance of a battery charger, there is no difference. You can put 20 batteries in parrell with the one on the craft and the battery voltage will not be above the 12.5 max voltage. A "JUMP BOX" is a battery contained in a box with jumper cables already attached to it.

As for the lanyard, the OP said the lights came on then went off, so it is either a "bad connection" or "bad lanyard"

 

[shagy959]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

i agree with all dodge i have used a jump box 1000s of times i repair and parts alot of seadoos and never have had a issue just dont hook it up live with the dess hooked up , hook battery box up turn it on hook up the dess then try if that doesnt work pull plugs check it turns may be battery issue not enough cca wont give enough spark to run 787alway do this also have seen starters go bad and pull to much amps and not let it start if its your starter dont buy a aftermarket find a good use oem find alot of guys over on pwctoday that have them also dont buy a walmart battery for buy a good gel battery yea cost more but less likly to have the issue and will last 5 or more years compeared to one season if your lucky

 

[timmyboy76]

Re: 1996 seadoo gtx wont start

in regards to using a "jump pack", my buddy brought me 3-97gti's, all with mpem's blown out becauseo ft he jump pack. I think it depends on the setting of it. I agree though, any 12v battery with cables, works just fine. I use my boats' battery, to jump customers skis.

OP...clean the post and landyard with an eraser. You also need to verify if your battery is good. Take to local auto store and have it load tested.

The blackbox next to the battery, contains the coil (sparks for sparkplugs) and the starter relay...With a good battery, jump the 2-post on the relay, and see if starter kicks out. If so, you know, its not a starter problem...