1996 sea doo challenger, working fine, parked it, wont turn over?

[mtl514eb]

Hey guys,

So yesterday I took my boat out, we were cruising around, was running great. then started to feel a bit sluggish. Stopped at a dock. cut the engine, popped the hood. All looked good. Go to fire it up, NOTHING.

Take the key off put it back on, no beep...... fan works, lights work, bilge pump works so not battery?

Next checked all the fuses, all are fine.

When I try and start it it doesnt even turn over. Bad starter? Not sure where to go from here...any tips would be greatly appreciated. New engine last year, was winterized over the winter, took out 2-3 times this year with no problems. New impeller, new wear ring....

 

[USAF_Pride]

Pull the spark plugs, ground the plug wires, and see if it turns over by hand. If it does, then jumper the solenoid to see if the starter spins. Alternatively, take a set of jumper cables and connect the ground to someplace on the motor and hit the positive post on the starter.

 

[mtl514eb]

Was reading in the manual, it says the solenoid is in the electrical panel??? sounds weird....

NOOB question, how and why ground the spark plug wires?

 

[LouDoo]

You ground the spark plug wires for two reasons, there is an electrical reason so you don't blow out the cdi, but mainly because gasoline fumes can build up in the bilge, and a loose spark can make it go boom.

I would check the battery cables and the battery.

Lou

 

[mtl514eb]

Battery cables are 100% clean and no corrosion.

Would a weak battery act exactly like that? Blower, bilge pump etc would work but not turn over the engine?

How does one ground the spark plug wires? How do i turn this engine by hand?

Sorry for my noobness, trying to learn.

 

[surfcitypops]

Battery cables are 100% clean and no corrosion.

Would a weak battery act exactly like that? Blower, bilge pump etc would work but not turn over the engine?

How does one ground the spark plug wires? How do i turn this engine by hand?

Sorry for my noobness, trying to learn.

If there's not a dedicated grounding block for the purpose, connect jumper wires to the metal in the spark plug wire boots and then to a clean metal part of the engine (or even right to the negative post of the battery).

 

[USAF_Pride]

How does one ground the spark plug wires? How do i turn this engine by hand?

Sorry for my noobness, trying to learn.

Look on the box to the side of the motor, you should see two posts with a bit of metal sticking out the top. The wires push right down on them.

 

[rjcress]

...Take the key off put it back on, no beep...

Might this be a clue to the problem?
If it beeped before, but just stopped, then I suspect that the DESS key or post may be the source of the problem.

 

[mtl514eb]

The beeper thingy worked intermittently. At some points last year it would not beep but would still run fine. Same with this year. Sometimes it beeps sometimes it doesnt. Any way to test the DESS?

For the box on the side of the motor with the posts is that the orange thing with the two pieces of metal?

What do you guys mean when you say turn over by hand? Do you mean take the shroud off around the driveshaft and try and turn it? does it have to be in gear or will it do in neutral?. Such a noob sigh. lol

 

[rjcress]

The beeper thingy worked intermittently. At some points last year it would not beep but would still run fine. Same with this year. Sometimes it beeps sometimes it doesnt. Any way to test the DESS?

Yep. The shop manual has the DESS test procedure, or you could search this forum.

For the box on the side of the motor with the posts is that the orange thing with the two pieces of metal?

Yep.

What do you guys mean when you say turn over by hand? Do you mean take the shroud off around the driveshaft and try and turn it? does it have to be in gear or will it do in neutral?. Such a noob sigh. lol

The motor doesn't have an "in" or "out" of gear state. Position of the reverse gate is irrelevant for this.

 

[mtl514eb]

Wow this forum is awesome. Can I donate anywhere?

Also is what I said above what you guys mean to turn it over by hand?


Other question that wasnt answered, would a crappy battery still allow for the blower, lights and bilge to work, but not turn the motor over at all?

 

[rjcress]

Wow this forum is awesome. Can I donate anywhere?

I think there is a way to donate, but will let someone more knowledgeable address this. I am a sporadic forum user, at best, but try to help when I can since I've been the one sitting in the boat, baffled at why it won't run, and gotten quick advice from forum folks.

Also is what I said above what you guys mean to turn it over by hand?

Yep

Other question that wasnt answered, would a crappy battery still allow for the blower, lights and bilge to work, but not turn the motor over at all?

I've been told that SD boats and PWCs are VERY sensitive to battery condition. No idea if this is your problem, but it sounds plausible to me. Probably best to have your battery tested to be sure of the condition... which reminds me... I was supposed to get my battery tested, but haven't. DOH!

 

[mtl514eb]

The local shop told me my battery was weak at the beginning of the season. I put it in the boat, and it fired right up so I figured it would do. I guess I will pick up a marine battery from wal mart and try that first. Will keep you posted!

Thanks guys,

 

[Coastiejoe]

The local shop told me my battery was weak at the beginning of the season. I put it in the boat, and it fired right up so I figured it would do. I guess I will pick up a marine battery from wal mart and try that first. Will keep you posted!

Thanks guys,

Get it load tested rather than guess. Not saying it won't hurt to replace it. Just saying it is nice to know if it was/is faulty.


Repairing and selling iPads, iPhones and Mini iPads.

 

[mtl514eb]

Well if I swap it out and it starts wouldn't that mean it's faulty? Not trying to be a smart ass jus wondering if my logic is wrong?

I had it on a charger and it was a bit weak but worked.

 

[LouDoo]

Personally I would go ahead and replace the battery, the last thing you want is to be stuck out on the lake with a bad battery. BTW don't buy a motorsports battery at Walmart, their full size marine batteries are fine (I've got one), but their motorsports batteries are crap.

BTW if you want to "donate" to the forum join as a premium member, it will benefit both you and the forum.

Lou