2001 speedster will not start...

[efsefs726]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum.
I am working on a 2001 Sea Doo Speedster with a Mercury V6 engine. It will not start meaning turning over.
All the accessories work on the boat lights, horn, pumps etc, but when you turn the key to the start position, nothing. I checked the neutral switch in the forward and reverse lever even the landyard button. I am getting wierd readings out of the landyard but I bypassed it. Still nothing. The landyard switch is just a regular one not a DESS one. Do you have any suggestions.

 

[WAJetboating]

There's some really basic stuff you should check. You may have done this already but it's not clear from your post. I am interpreting your post to say that the engine is not even turning over. If it IS turning over but just not starting and running on its own, my comments are invalid so please respond with greater clarity and we'll change the recommended tests.

Apparently you have battery power. So let's go all the way to the other end and work backwards. When you turn the key, the starter motor should get voltage at its terminals. It will be low because a non-turning starter is basically a dead short, but there will be SOME voltage there. Do you see anything?

If not, back up to the starter relay. Does it have battery voltage at its input terminals? If so, does it get coil voltage when you turn the key? Can you hear it "click"? Do you read any voltage on its output terminals when the key is turned?

Check this out and report back. We'll try to help!

 

[WAJetboating]

I am getting wierd readings out of the landyard but I bypassed it. Still nothing. The landyard switch is just a regular one not a DESS one.

The lanyard switch is normally closed. When the lanyard is installed the switch is opened. The switch is one of several things in the boat that can ground out (disable) the CDI packs on the spark plugs, instantly killing the engine or preventing it from starting. One of the handy "tricks" of this engine is that you can turn it over while guaranteeing it won't start by leaving the lanyard off while turning the key to the START position. This is handy for compression tests and other diagnostics. Don't do it for too long, though, as the fuel system is still operational so you're pumping fuel+oil into the cylinders (actually 3X normal the fuel+oil, as the injector pulse widths are tripled during startup). All it does is disable sparking - otherwise the engine is doing everything to start.

So you will, indeed, get "weird" readings from the lanyard wires... because you're reading directly into the CDI modules.

If by "I bypassed it" you mean you shorted across the lanyard, as noted above you're guaranteeing that the engine will not start. That's not what is preventing the engine from turning over, but once it does start turning over it will never start as long as you have that shorted out. Remove your "bypass".

 

[efsefs726]

Thank you WAJetboating. Sorry about my post.
I do have power to the starter solenoid. I can short out the terminals on the starter solenoid and the engine cranks over but will not run...
As for the landyard switch it makes sense after you explained it. Maybe I need to subscribe to the forum and get a detailed wiring diagram to show it better.
I am thinking is might be in the ignition switch but without a good detailed wiring diagram I am just guessing. Didn't mean to ramble on!
Have you ever purchased the manuals on this forum? If you have do they have a good diagrams?

 

[WAJetboating]

I do have power to the starter solenoid. I can short out the terminals on the starter solenoid and the engine cranks over but will not run.

OK, so the next test is to see if you get power to the solenoid when you turn the key to START. This may be as simple as a bad starter solenoid.

Assuming you DON'T get voltage on the solenoid coil, then yes - I'd go back to the starter switch and start tracing along, making sure you're getting voltage off the start circuit. There's a line that goes to the ECU to tell it to start firing the injectors, for example. No fuel, no ignition.

Have you ever purchased the manuals on this forum? If you have do they have a good diagrams?

I have the original factory service manuals in both print and PDF versions. I haven't looked at what is available here but if they're the factory manuals then yes, they have a comprehensive engine wiring diagram and a "fair" console/dashboard wiring diagram. It's enough to get you through this problem.

Check if the solenoid coil is getting power and report back!

 

[efsefs726]

I will do the checks on the solenoid circuit today after work plus order that manual. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again!!!

 

[efsefs726]

Well two things. First the manual was a little disappointing but I managed. This manual was the same one that I downloaded before. Good manual but needed more detail on the wiring diagram. Second thing was after checking the circuit I found no voltage at the starter solenoid. I was about to take it to a dealer. I spoke to a few dealers. I finally found a guy that told me what to check for and found the problem. No power to the ignition switch... I then brought a hot wire to the red wire on the switch. Everything worked after that. I have a bad wire between the main battery switch to the switch. So relieved to fix it. Thanks WAJetboating for all your tech. support.
Off the subject. I was out your way last month on the 14th. I had to fly into Spokane and drive to Mullan ID Silver mine. After you leave Kellogg ID the towns become smaller. Not use to that. Nice area up there and the Lake was awesome. Take care and Thanks again.. Fred

 

[WAJetboating]

So relieved to fix it. Thanks WAJetboating for all your tech. support.

You're very welcome, and glad it was so straightforward! Have fun!