1996 seadoo challenger wont start

[123457]

Hey everyone,
We have been trying to diagnosis the issues with our 1996 seadoo challenger. We are new to the boat world so its starting to become super discouraging.
We been out twice and both times it died engie on the lake. We pulled the plugs tried to start it nothing came out so i don't think we hyperlocked it ( or could we have). With the plugs out and the PTO cover off when hitting the start it seems it wants to start but it is struggling, the PTO won't fully turn by hand but did turn when trying to start it. We bought a new battery still getting no start (two beeps from the DESS so we know its ready to be started), we have pulled the starter and bench tested it - it worked... i'm startin to think this is bigger project than we expected, or should i get a new starter installed and hope that's all. Im really worried we seized something

 

[mikidymac]

With the plugs out and PTO cover off see if you can turn the engine all the way over by hand. This will determine if it is a mechanical issue or starting system issue.

 

[wayneh]

... we have pulled the starter and bench tested it - it worked...

I'm guessing you mean it spun? That's not really a full test. It should draw a specified current when freewheeling and more under a load. I don't know the details of this particular starter but I've had car starters fail by losing one of two windings. It would spin fine and draw 20A instead of the rated 40A. As a result it didn't have enough power to start the car.

All I'm saying is that a simple spin test tells you something but doesn't completely verify the starter.