97 XP running issues... clicking not beeping, dying on water

[VNMKING]

First of all I'd like to say I'm new to this site and appreciate all the feedback that I have already read many of you give, and look fwd to the furthering knowledge you will bring me about my newly acquired ski...

So I have a 97 xp which has reportedly sat for over 2 years. When I received it I charged the battery, drained the fuel and replaced it, and replaced the plugs. It's maiden voyage out the ski fired right up so I put it in the water. At first it seemed the ski might have been starving of fuel and cutting out every time I would try to accelerate. It was, and is, however back firing a lil bit at part throttle(which is all she'll do) but that usually means its rich. So anyway, after adding some shock treatment to the fuel to help clean out the carbs and lines, etc, the ski seems to run better overall.

Now to the problem...I have realized that this could easily be an electrical problem for the simple fact that not only does the fuel gauge not register(side prob) but the DSS does not make a 2 beep signal everytime. In fact, you can hear more like a "click, click" instead of a "beep, beep" most of the time. The ski will still start when this happens, however there are times the lanyard doesn't register and it won't fire. Even when this happens, and the ski starts, you can ride it for a moment and when it get going it will just completely lose spark and kill the motor. At this time, it almost always immediately makes the signature "beep, beep" sounds and you can tap the start button and it will fire up. This isn't the end tho for it will do it again as soon as you get on it again. There are even time where the ski won't idle for more than 15-20 seconds. I would like to test the post however I don't have a good enough multimeter to do so yet. Even at the times at which the ski makes the beeps from the get go, it will happen once under power.

I also started pushing on all connectors to ensure the wires are pulling out of anything I can see for I have read that could be a simple problem.

Please feel free to ask any questions you can to help determine this problem. Simple things I can test would really help.


Thanks again in advance,
Erik Green

 

[kustomkarl]

What you can try first off is cleaning the dess post. Use soap and water. don't spray anything on it like grease or any other chemicials. If it stilldoesnt make a good connection then try these tests.
Safety Lanyard Switch Verification;
If 2 short beeps are not heard when installing the safety lanyard, disconnect the switch wires.
Safety lanyard removed;
connect the test probes to switch Black and Black/Yellow wires. It’s an open circuit, there should be no continuity.
Connect one test probe to the White/Gray wire and the other test probe to the switch terminal. Measure resistance, it should be “0” ohm. Connect one test probe to the Black wire and the other test probe to the switch ring. Measure resistance, it must be close to “0” ohm.
Safety lanyard on switch; connect the probes to switch Black and Black /Yellow wires. Measure resistance, it must be “0” ohm.
Timer Verification;
The timer is integrated into the MPEM. Always confirm that the fuses are in good condition. To confirm operation of timer, remove the safety lanyard from switch. After 5 seconds delay, depress start/stop button once. The timer should stay on for 33 seconds (for example, the gauge(s) will be activated) and than turn off.

As for the beeper, remove it and get a replacement from Radio Shack. Cut the wires from the plug end and re-solder the ends to the plug and shrink wrape it so it will be water proof again. Keep us posted on your progress.

Karl

 

[VNMKING]

Timer Operation

Thank you for your response Karl. I was hoping to hear your advice.

This timer in the computer, is it temperamental and would cause these things just off a bad fuse connection or fuse itself? I have checked you test and seems to come on after two pushes, not one. I haven't checked the length of which the power stays on either. Oh and its starting to only give 1 click/beep today.

I will test the beeper when I find it, to a simple 12v connection and see if I can get it to operate before buying a new one.

Which fuse should i focus on? All?

 

[kustomkarl]

The timer allows you to push the start button to see some items on the guages...like fuel in tank...ect. It shuts off the power to now draw on the battery. With the lanyard on you have 33 seconds to start the engine also or it times out. I haven't seen problems with the timer very much...like maybe 1 time ever....just be sure it is working is what the test is for, process of elimination. I had a beeper that vibrated and never beeped. I could feel it vibrate. Check all the fuses and use a contact cleaner on them if they look corroded. Than spray a silicon spray on them to water proof them,(even in the sealed box). Let me know how you doing.

Karl

 

[VNMKING]

I'm going to replace the beeper first and then start checking the fuses and any other connection related to the computer. I will get back to you on my progress.

Question: If the computer is bad will it just randomly die? Or will it not work at all?

 

[VNMKING]

Update

Update: Beeper is functioning again. 2 beeps everytime. I did not replace the beeper so let me ask: If the beeper is working sometimes, and clicking others, is the beeper bad? Or is the computer bad where its only sending a weak signal where the beeper is barely working?

Also, has anyone else ran by the same issues I am having? I am very curious to finding a way to testing the computer for function ability. I just want this damn thing to stay running and stop suddenly dying. It doesn't make much sense

(note: I haven't tested the lanyard yet but I have a feeling that its working properly considering the vessel fires up immediately after stalling.)

 

[VNMKING]

Update 2

It is Definitely NOT the post. I had the opp to use a post off a friends ski that operates at 100%. Same symptoms keep happening. This ski will not even idle for more than 15-30 seconds. What do you think the problem is?

Does anybody have a computer and key I can borrow?

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:boxing_smiley:

 

[seadoosnipe]

Post.....

If you've gotten 2 beeps, even one time, it's not the MPEM. Your description is indicative of a bad post.

I know, you say you've tested with a friend, but from experience, this is what your problem is.

The post is a magnetic communicator between the lanyard, which has a ROM chip in it and the MPEM. If the post starts to lose it's ability to magnetically keep contact with that ROM, then you'll lose everything.

Last year, in my 787. I could put the cap on, maybe two beeps, maybe not. It would start, sitting in the yard, testing the engine, it would just go dead. Then, out on the river, I could be wide open, running nicely, then all of the sudden, coming to a screeching halt. Then, I'd have to take the lanyard post onand off several times. Practically beating it agains the side of teh boat to get something out of it.

Ifinally replace it..............It hasn't gone dead since. :cheers:

 

[timmyboy76]

Same ski..??

did you try your buddy's computer board???

 

[VNMKING]

If you've gotten 2 beeps, even one time, it's not the MPEM. Your description is indicative of a bad post.

I know, you say you've tested with a friend, but from experience, this is what your problem is.

I don't understand the difference between my buddies post(which works fine) and a new post would be. Please help me understand that...

 

[VNMKING]

Anybody want to help me on that?

 

[kustomkarl]

I think that seadoosnipe replaced the cap at the same time, but It happend so long ago I forget. If it isn't the post an the Lanyard allows it to start up right away...than that's got me stumped. Let me give it some thought and see what I can come up with. I would hate to see you replace that expensive mpem unless you really need one.

Karl

 

[brewseadog]

Having the same problem!

1997 GTX - Same symptoms. Sometimes 2 beeps. Sometimes faint clicks. STarts but quits (electrical/engine/everything). Sometimes I can put the key on and the digital display is blank, no beeps, but it will start then quits quickly. Feels like a bad Dess Post. Any Ideas?

Thanks

 

[abales]

I had some really flaky starting and running issues. New key fixed them all. Too bad I jacked with the other stuff and burned out the starter relay first.

 

[MarqyMarq]

I have a 97 XP that is giving me the same problems. All fuses are okay, battery good and I have connectivity to the electrical box (two big wires coming out going to spark plugs & two big red wires going to battery and starter).

My problem is that I cannot get the two beeps at all! I took it to the lake yesterday and everything was fine. This morning I go to check on it and "nada"! No beeps, no 33 second activity timer when I push the start/stop without the lanyard installed. No needle movement of guages!

I tried two different lanyard caps and still nothing. The two lanyard caps worked before on the PWC, but they both don't work.

Anybody have any ideas?

Marq

 

[seadooGSX97]

First of all I'd like to say I'm new to this site and appreciate all the feedback that I have already read many of you give, and look fwd to the furthering knowledge you will bring me about my newly acquired ski...

So I have a 97 xp which has reportedly sat for over 2 years. When I received it I charged the battery, drained the fuel and replaced it, and replaced the plugs. It's maiden voyage out the ski fired right up so I put it in the water. At first it seemed the ski might have been starving of fuel and cutting out every time I would try to accelerate. It was, and is, however back firing a lil bit at part throttle(which is all she'll do) but that usually means its rich. So anyway, after adding some shock treatment to the fuel to help clean out the carbs and lines, etc, the ski seems to run better overall.

Now to the problem...I have realized that this could easily be an electrical problem for the simple fact that not only does the fuel gauge not register(side prob) but the DSS does not make a 2 beep signal everytime. In fact, you can hear more like a "click, click" instead of a "beep, beep" most of the time. The ski will still start when this happens, however there are times the lanyard doesn't register and it won't fire. Even when this happens, and the ski starts, you can ride it for a moment and when it get going it will just completely lose spark and kill the motor. At this time, it almost always immediately makes the signature "beep, beep" sounds and you can tap the start button and it will fire up. This isn't the end tho for it will do it again as soon as you get on it again. There are even time where the ski won't idle for more than 15-20 seconds. I would like to test the post however I don't have a good enough multimeter to do so yet. Even at the times at which the ski makes the beeps from the get go, it will happen once under power.

I also started pushing on all connectors to ensure the wires are pulling out of anything I can see for I have read that could be a simple problem.

Please feel free to ask any questions you can to help determine this problem. Simple things I can test would really help.


Thanks again in advance,
Erik Green

Im just guessing here but maybe the "key" so you call it is bad. I dont think it is the computer. Have you run over anything last time you were out? My sister ran over a ski rope with mine and i when i flipped it over to untangle and cut the rope off the computer got water damage. But it would still start. Hope that helped.

Austin