1997 Seadoo Speedster CDI/MPEM

[Jamesco]

Looking for some help. I have a 97 Seadoo Speedster with twin 717s. It just shut off last time it was used and was not checked to see the issue. It sat for 2 years and I just bought it to try and fix it. The key does nothing when plugged in. No beeps and starter buttons do nothing. I have a new battery in it and had a service center look at it and they said the CDI (#204-470-056) needs to be replaced because the diag tool can't communicate with it. It's not blowing the 5amp fuse like bad mpem's do its just dead. Can this be repaired or any ideas on where to get a replacement? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[rusty nail]

before you give up on the mpem make sure you are getting 12v and solid ground to the mpem.....all positive and grounds are clean and have continuity. Even the main plugs/pins into the mpem themselves can generate corrosion which may need to be cleaned or try contact cleaner spray.

if you cannot find a replacement mpem for a decent price some have used two jetski mpems systems for each motor if you are up for a challenge. you could try one jetski mpem and cdi as a test to see if you can get each of the motors independently before purchasing a second mpem/cdi system for the second motor.

just ideas...

 

[etemplet]

Man these criminals selling these 25 year old parts for top dollar make me ill. I didn't do a lot of checking on the speedster I purchased but I wasn't getting spark to the port engine. I did a few quick checks and decided it was the MPEM. When I swapped the coil feed wire the right engine wouldn't fire. I found an MPEM and have it installed but I'm a long way from running the engines. Before I toss this MPEM I'm cutting it open to see what I can find. I also talked to a guy that does electronics so there may be some hope. If we could get this one working and prove it I'd make someone a really good deal.

My plan was to buy the double jet ski MPEM for around $500 from OSD Marine. The neutral lock out won't work but that isn't an issue when I'm saving $700. LOL

Too bad you don't live close to me. Impossible crap is how I roll. LOL Good Luck !!

 

[Marksmen11m]

I had my mpem die out last fall on the twin 97 speedster. I was able to remove it, dig out the potting material to expose one of the diodes on the board. Did some testing with the multi-meter and found the diode was damaged. Found a replacement online and soldered in a new one. After re-installing the mpem both engines fired right up. I immediately winterized and put the boat in storage. Should be water testing in the next couple weeks. Fingers crossed that this solved the problem. Hoping the age of the diode was the issue and not just a symptom of some larger problem….

 

[etemplet]

I had my mpem die out last fall on the twin 97 speedster. I was able to remove it, dig out the potting material to expose one of the diodes on the board. Did some testing with the multi-meter and found the diode was damaged. Found a replacement online and soldered in a new one. After re-installing the mpem both engines fired right up. I immediately winterized and put the boat in storage. Should be water testing in the next couple weeks. Fingers crossed that this solved the problem. Hoping the age of the diode was the issue and not just a symptom of some larger problem….

Good Job !!!

 

[etemplet]

I had my mpem die out last fall on the twin 97 speedster. I was able to remove it, dig out the potting material to expose one of the diodes on the board. Did some testing with the multi-meter and found the diode was damaged. Found a replacement online and soldered in a new one. After re-installing the mpem both engines fired right up. I immediately winterized and put the boat in storage. Should be water testing in the next couple weeks. Fingers crossed that this solved the problem. Hoping the age of the diode was the issue and not just a symptom of some larger problem….

The Speedster is now running great. I was premature in buying the extra MPEM but I got a good deal on it. Ended up being the plug that plugs into the Mag so I got a good 1996 MPEM that I'll be selling. I gotta see what it cost me. Probably $600-ish. I have the whole gray box, coils and all the stuff inside.

 

[Marksmen11m]

The Speedster is now running great. I was premature in buying the extra MPEM but I got a good deal on it. Ended up being the plug that plugs into the Mag so I got a good 1996 MPEM that I'll be selling. I gotta see what it cost me. Probably $600-ish. I have the whole gray box, coils and all the stuff inside.

A few year back my boat was having issues . I took it to a marina who had boat mechanic who at one time worked at seadoo. Very hard to find folks where I am that will work on these boats. He spent days trying to diagnose the issue and determined it was the mpem, but because he could not get the part he could not fix it. Cost me a bunch of money and 1/2 the boating season! After I took back the boat I did some of my own testing and his diagnosis just didn’t make sense to me. Turn out it was a bad magneto (similar to your issue with the plug). I replaced that myself and man it was tough gettting that engine out without the proper tools! But so satisfying. Ever since then I am about self maintenance on this boat. We can do it folks!

 

[etemplet]

GOOD JOB !!! Honestly, Lots of mechanics are just parts changers even with the training. They cost customers a lot of money. I was happy it was the plug and my MPEM is good. I'll make someone that needs one happy. TEAMWORK !!

 

[Marksmen11m]

Happy to report that the boat has been in the water and no issues with about 4 hours of runtime on it! Looks like I have the mpem issue solved. Now I can enjoy until the next the next problem. It is a boat after all.