97 GTX will not turn over

[Sparkieboat]

I got a 97 GTX, it has always read 12V low on the read out since I have had it, but it always ran fine. The beeps are muffled and can barely be heard, but I do hear 2 faint beeps when I put the dess key on the post, it will not turn over when I press the red button and does not have fire when I jump the solenoid. battery is fully charged and spins the engine over fine when I jump the solenoid. the connections appear to be clean and tight. and I have checked the fuses. when I press the start button one time (with the dess key off of the post) the gauge comes on, after that if I double tap the start button it will beep once then briefly flash hi temp then go back to direction SWest.
I tried disconnecting the temp sensor wire on the top of the head with no change.
After doing this a few times now suddenly my beeps are crisp and loud. the 12V low still flashes when I try to start the motor with the dess key on the post. It has read 12V low since I have owned it but never gave me a problem before.

Any ideas?
Thanks Sparkie

 

[Sparkieboat]

I checked the voltage at the battery it reads 12.59V, in the MPEM box I removed the 2 fuses and checked voltage with the 2 brand new looking ground post, (the MPEM box is perfectly clean looks like brand new)
I got 12.55V. the guage continues to go to the 12V low whenever I place the dess key on the post and press the red start button. the engine does not turn over

 

[howie099]

You might have a messed up MPEM. They always look brand new since they are a non ware item. Your cluster could be going out also but I don't think you need the cluster to run the ski. Your starter switch could be failing also. I would test all the electrical items according to the manual might even want to send your MPEM out to to some of the guys here on the site to test it for you to make sure. Electrical issues suck to pin down.

 

[Sparkieboat]

Lol. Yes they do. I have tested the starter switch and the solenoid. They seem fine. I will have to send my mpem out to be tested I guess.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Test for voltage at the trigger wire on the solenoid when you press the START/STOP button (With the lanyard on the DESS post). If there is none, then you need to start looking at the MPEM and or fuses. I would also suggest testing the START/STOP button for continuity as well.

 

[Sparkieboat]

I am testing the start bottom as we speak. I hooked up my battery charger now I have 13.5 volts. The 12V low went away but nothing else changed. I am getting 3.4 volts to the wire going to the solenoid when i press the start button.

 

[Sparkieboat]

I just retested. I got 13.2 to the solenoid hit wire.

 

[Coastiejoe]

You do NOT want to have the charger on when you try to start the ski. In some cases it can destroy the MPEM due to the additional amperage.

That said,, when you did have the charger on, what happened when you pressed the START button?

 

[Sparkieboat]

It was the solenoid. I replaced it. It turned over good once then started jumping. It will turn over for about a second then stop then turn over again. I even pulled a good battery off another ski. Same thing

 

[Coastiejoe]

I'm replacing my Solenoid just because it is a 2009. Just ordered it. It CLICKED a few times when out and about. Had to hit my START button a few times. To much of a risk,,, They are a common failure item for sure..

 

[Sparkieboat]

Charged the battery more. Cranking good and I got fire. Thanks guys

 

[Sparkieboat]

And thanks for the tip on not cranking with the charger connected, Coastiejoe