1998 Sportster 1800 Troubleshooting Question

[laug6615]

Hey everyone, I have an intermittent problem that I need some guidance on where to start. My boat is the 1998 Seadoo Sportster 1800 with the twin engines. Here's the situation: This past summer I got the boat out of storage and charged up the battery as usual. After charging I hooked up the battery and I plugged the key in, the gas gauge powered up as usual, no "beeps" from where ever the beeps" are supposed to come from. This was not a concern because the last couple of years the "beep" that I used to get when I plugged the key in hasn't been working. Only problem this time is when I press one of the starter switches the gas gauge dies like there's no longer any power and the starter doesn't fire. I have to unplug the key and then plug it back in, same thing, no beeps, gas gauge powers, hit the starter, no power. Did this a few times and it eventually when I hit the starter and the gas gauge keeps its power it starts. Its like something is sticking in the electrical somewhere, relay, corrosion or something. Not really sure where to start with the troubleshooting. I have cleaned the battery terminals and grounds so far which didn't make it any better. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dbracela]

Sounds like a starter relay. There's also a few good threads on here about replacing the beeper with one from radio shack.

 

[laug6615]

Thanks for the reply and that suggestion makes sense. I don't have a wiring diagram or anything to go by or use as a visual aid. Can you direct me to the location of the starter relays and exactly where is the beeper located that doesn't work? Is there a manual or wiring diagram located here on the site for download, or a link to a post would be OK also. Thanks again.

 

[Waterluvr]

Laug, you can replace that faulty beeper for a whole lot less money at your local Radio Shack than the Floyd Bell beeper Sea Doo uses, the part number is 273-0068. The beeper is right under the dash above your knees and held on with a plastic threaded retainer ring.

Just install a jumper wire between the + terminals for pulse and tone on the new beeper and wire it right to the existing harness it's a direct drop in replacement for about $7.00

The shop manuals have all the testing procedures you need, not hard to find if you google for it but all you need is a test light procedure is same as any other for a remote starter solenoid.

 

[dbracela]

Part number 16 here:

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche...a=172&b=29&c=0&d=-ELECTRICAL---ENGINE-HARNESS

They are located in the plastic boxes on the pto covers.

 

[dbracela]

Here's one of the threads that cover the beeper, There are others, but this basically covers it. I went with the radio shack one, works fine:

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?46758-Beeper-replacement&highlight=Buzzer

 

[laug6615]

Thanks for the reply guys. I did so some research on the beeper and found a post that described what I needed to know to remedy that problem. I'll look into the starter relay if it ever quits raining and warms up some.