96 speedster cranks for 2 seconds then cuts out

[TylerC16]

So I have a 96 speedster that has had this problem that seems to be getting slowly worse. At first it would only happen a few times then it would allows the engines to crank until started but not it non stop.

Both engines have the same issue. When you go to start them they will only crank for about 2 seconds not giving them enough time to start then cut out. Pull the lanyard out and same thing. This will happen over and over and over until all a sudden it lets them cranks over for a while until they can start up. Once one gets running I can then get the other started just fine. I can ride all around the lake just fine but if I stop and kill the engines I have to go through this entire process again. This has been going on for a couple of months now. Finally its getting to the point that I should probably get this taken care of before I get stranded. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[illru]

I had the same issue with my 97. It was the lanyard post for me. The magnet kept dropping. What beep codes are you getting?

 

[TylerC16]

So when I put the lanyard on the post I get the 2 beeps. Whenever the engines cutout sometimes it will allow me to retry, other times it will then give me 1 long beep and which point I pull the lanyard off the post and reattach to try again. Sounds like something is not getting a good connection. I did read up some more about this and went ahead and ordered a new post. Guess I'll go from there.

 

[illru]

Yep, that sounds like a bad DESS read.

 

[TylerC16]

Ok, just put in the new post and same issue. I went ahead and cleaned my ground and power connectors still no fix. Then I tried running a whole new ground to the ground post in the electrical box and still nothing.

BUT I found this---I pulled the plug wires off the plugs and onto the ground posts. The engine then cranked all day long. Soon as I put the wires back on the plugs the same issue comes back. I believe what is happening is the computer is thinking the engine is firing and cutting out the starter. It seems that when most of the time the starter cuts out is when the engine just began to fire. The problem is I have no idea how to address this issue.

 

[Steelmesh]

Ok, just put in the new post and same issue. I went ahead and cleaned my ground and power connectors still no fix. Then I tried running a whole new ground to the ground post in the electrical box and still nothing.

BUT I found this---I pulled the plug wires off the plugs and onto the ground posts. The engine then cranked all day long. Soon as I put the wires back on the plugs the same issue comes back. I believe what is happening is the computer is thinking the engine is firing and cutting out the starter. It seems that when most of the time the starter cuts out is when the engine just began to fire. The problem is I have no idea how to address this issue.

Just throwing it out there, maybe try to jump the neutral safety switch on the shifter assembly just to rule it out.

 

[TylerC16]

Ok so it's fixed!! I think it's important to get on here and explain what happened for the next guy with similar issue.

So of course both engines were experiencing the same issue where they just crank for 2 seconds then cut out. I immediately though this was a bad key connection or something in the electronics not giving the green light to the solenoids. Well then finally tonight all I got was a click, not more cranking. This lead me to it has to either be in the starting components themselves or the charging system. I went ahead and pulled all my power and grounds and filed them all down to get rid of rust/corrosion. Still nothing. Then I noticed there is a jumper that daisy chains from one starter solenoid to the other. It was this cable that whatever reason had a bad connection. All I did was loosen it up and tighten it back down. I guess it wasn't letting enough amps through to cause cranking. Now they crank as long as I hold the buttons. Thanks to yall that suggested ideas. I'm only $30 into the repair with the DESS post which is probably a good idea anyway plus my key fits more snug. Thanks again