95 XP 700 Starter Question

[kr5517]

Greetings. My ski started fine when I bought it. I took it to a shop, had it serviced for the "start of season" and then took it out for the shakedown cruise. It worked great. Then, when I got back to the dock, I shut it off. Then I attempted to start it again and I had to hit the start button about 9 times before it would restart. Then I'd shut it off and then I'd have to hit the start button another 9 times before it would start. The 8 unsuccessful attempts would just CLICK. So, I believe that means I've got some wear in my starter that needs to be addressed.

So I have removed my starter, cleaned up what I could, but I have a problem. A small graphite ball rolled out of the starter and I have no idea where it came from. To compound the situation, I crushed it trying to figure out what it was. Kelly the Destroyer.

What is that ball? Where does it go? What if I put the starter together without it?

 

[kustomkarl]

Welcome to the seadoo forum Kelly...sorry to hear your maiden voyage wasn't the best it could be. Let me get this straight, you had to start it 9 times or it clicked 8 times and the starter only engaged 1 time to actually start the machine. It sounds like the starter need to be replaced or rebuilt. If you look for a starter rebuild company in your area, they might be able to help you get it repaired and rebuilt or exchanged for a re-manufactured one.
Look around in the phone book locally and see what you find. This is a friendly place with lots of active members eager to help out, so if you need any more help give us a shout.

Karl

 

[kr5517]

Getting it rebuilt....

Thanks Karl. I'm definitely a newb so I can use all the help I can get.

I checked the price of a replacement starter, ouch. Then I went to my trusty neighborhood starter repair shop and they're hooking me up for half the price, and I've been there before so I trust them.

Oh, and that funky graphite ball was an oyster, so to speak. Created by the residue from the brushes.

 

[kr5517]

Neglected to answer your first question...

The eight failed attempts all resulted in just a CLICK, no actual starting. Then on the ninth, it fired right up.

 

[kustomkarl]

That's a good indication of a bad solenoid...If it still does it I would follow the red wire from the starter to the sealed box. Open it up and if it still clicks, jump across the solenoid to the other heavy red wire across from the starter red wire.Use a piece of 14 guage insulated wire to quickly jump across the 2 terminals. If the starter turns over...it has a bad solenoid. Thats why I asked if it clicked or just didn't start. Let me know how you make out... Keep us posted.

Karl

 

[kr5517]

waiting for the starter....

What?! I jumped to the wrong conclusion? Impossible!

Well, if you're right, which you probably are, then I'll attack the solenoid once I get the starter reinstalled.

Thanks for the explanation on testing.

 

[kustomkarl]

Let us know if we can help...

Karl

 

[robin savell lloyd]

Most all solinoids I have had that had a nice click were good. It was normaly a bad ground wire, positive wire or starter that was the cause. please keep us posted on fix.:cheers:

 

[derek]

i did automotive starters for a while. i am in agreement on the solenoid. if it closes the starter will spin, or try. but it will make some noise. the little ball is in the top of the starter cover above the brushes. it will probly work fine without it. starters ane cheap on ebay, because they so rarely fail. the stuff that dies (mpems frinstance) are EXPENSIVE.

 

[kr5517]

New starter installed, same problem

I installed a rebuilt starter and the same thing happens. So, I opened the sealed box, jumped across the terminals and low and behold, it cranked right over. So, at this point I'm in the market for a new solenoid.

 

[kr5517]

new solenoid installed, problem solved.

yes, it's a wonderful sound. For reference, when I called the dealer to get a new solenoid, they had a very difficult time finding it in their database. I finally removed my failing solenoid and took it in and showed them the part I wanted. Then they found it. Cost me $43. Pricey, but nothing quite like the sound of a starting ski.

 

[kustomkarl]

I'm glad the advice I gave you helped out...If we can help any more let us know.:cheers:

Karl