98 challenger DEAD on water

[WikidII]

Looking for a little help? I've got a 98 challenger with the 787's. Bought it several months ago. Taken out 6 times.

Yesterday I'm cruising 5500ish and both engines turn off. Radio still plays but no power. I try restart it get nothing. Eventually I get 2 short beeps and 1 long. (if my memory is correct).
I opened the random shut down sticky and I checked just about everything except the neutral switch(how to bypass), Ignition mag( this wouldn't shut down both engines at same time) , Rectifier, stator?

Seems electrical. Any ideas?

 

[LouDoo]

Since it's both engines I would start with the neutral safety switch, for testing only short the switch.

Lou

 

[bigJake]

Question: Would a bad Neutral Safety switch actually cause it to shut down or just not restart?

 

[Dr Honda]

Nope. The neutral switch wont' shut the engines down. If it's stuck open... it wont' restart, and you will get 1 beep when the lanyard is put on. If it's stuck closed... it won't rev past 3500 rpm's.

For both engines to shut down at the same time... the MPEM did it. SO...

1) The lanyard post went bad
2) The MPEM went bad
3) there is a bad connection in the lanyard wiring.

 

[LouDoo]

You've make a good point Jake, probably not. I was just thinking, what would be common to both engines?

Lou

 

[WikidII]

Awesome quick responses!! A good Samaritan towed me to my trailer and wouldn't accept any $$. As I wouldn't either here in Texas.

How do I trouble shoot the MPEM or post? The lanyard is brand new from a seadoo service dealer. The lanyard wiring I guess Id need to follow it.

I did remove the throttle assy to tighten the throttles last week. 1st time out since then. Can I tie the neutral wire together?

 

[Dr Honda]

Can I tie the neutral wire together?

Nope. Because... it has to be closed to start, and it has to be open to run past 3500 rpm. The quick way to check it is to put your lanyard on, but have it in forward. You will get an error beep. Then, just pull it back to neutral. You should get your ready beeps.

If this doesn't happen... let us know exactly what beeps you are getting.

The MPEM controls both engines... but each engine is individual. As in... they have separate CDI's, stators, coils, carbs... etc. SO... for both of them to have an issue (together) there are only a few things it can be. (MPEM, lanyard, post, neutral switch) But, as above... the neutral switch wont shut the engines down.

 

[WikidII]

Nope. Because... it has to be closed to start, and it has to be open to run past 3500 rpm. The quick way to check it is to put your lanyard on, but have it in forward. You will get an error beep. Then, just pull it back to neutral. You should get your ready beeps.

If this doesn't happen... let us know exactly what beeps you are getting.

The MPEM controls both engines... but each engine is individual. As in... they have separate CDI's, stators, coils, carbs... etc. SO... for both of them to have an issue (together) there are only a few things it can be. (MPEM, lanyard, post, neutral switch) But, as above... the neutral switch wont shut the engines down.

Well crap. I had to make a last minute trip to NYC this morning. Now driving to pittsburg, PA. Doesn't look like I'm getting back to TX til Thursday.

What's the probability it's the MPEM? Can I order one somewhere and I install in an afternoon? I'm screwed for memorial weekend I'm guessing.

Damn

 

[Dr Honda]

Where in Da Burgh are you going to be?

I would say the MPEM is the last thing. Three reasons.

1) They don't normally just fail. When they do fail, it can be traced back to something else. (shorted part, or jump started) If it's that case, then you need to fine the cause so you don't roast a new one.

2) They are CRAZY expensive

3) It's probably discontinued for your boat, and may be hard to find.


You may find it's something stupid once you get working on the boat.

 

[WikidII]

Where in Da Burgh are you going to be?. (

Crazy day yesterday. Got up in fort worth at 3:15 am to catch a 6 am southwest to Newark. Picked up a rental car and made my way (1st time) to downtown NYC to pickup my wife and sister. Then drove to Philly for cheese steaks. We made it to Pittsburg around 2am. We had a room here at the La Quinta, Moon Township. We got a room at the Marriott tonight in Pittsburg closer to my wife's grandmother.

 

[bigJake]

. Picked up a rental car and made my way (1st time) to downtown NYC to pickup my wife and sister.

seein that me and Lou is from Kentucky, ya'll need to clarify if that is one girl or two?

 

[Aliza]

I had this same problem with both engines shutting down and the only thing i had power to was the radio, No Nav lights or anything It turned out to be the stator on my starboard engine had a few wires that were corroded so i switched it out and i have been riding stress free for three months!

 

[WikidII]

Well I finally made it back home and have had a few days of rest from booze fest memorial weekend to random cross country trip...

Aliza, where do I find the stator? What's it look like?

Also I was just messing with the boat and when I put the key on it doesn't beep at all. It takes several pushes of the starter to get 1 beep. Then the next try it's 1 short followed by 1 long beep? What's this mean?

I had another thought... Did I mess anything up getting towed in? I didn't clamp any hoses and I know there's still water in the motors. It's fresh water but still it's been almost 3 weeks...

Tks for helping my sick little boat!!!

 

[Aliza]

The Stator is located on the front of the motors where the wires plug into ! I tested both recitifiers and the one that was testing perfect i switched with the one that wasnt to eliminate that being the problem and when the good one tested bad on the bad engine i knew it was the stator! I am not sure about the beeps hopefully someone else can chime in on that one ! But check both recitifiers before you go ripping your stators off you want to make sure you get the right one the first time because its a pain in the butt to get off because of the limited space you have to work with !

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Are you sure there is water in the motors??????

If towed in slowly then there is a good chance water didn't get inside.
but with that said...if there is water...GET IT OUT ASAP...3 weeks may be too late....damage could be done.
Pull the sparks plugs and crank it....does water come out? if so then keep cranking for 4-8 seconds at a time then stop for 30 seconds then crank again until all water is out.

 

[WikidII]

The Stator is located on the front of the motors where the wires plug into ! I tested both recitifiers and the one that was testing perfect i switched with the one that wasnt to eliminate that being the problem and when the good one tested bad on the bad engine i knew it was the stator! I am not sure about the beeps hopefully someone else can chime in on that one ! But check both recitifiers before you go ripping your stators off you want to make sure you get the right one the first time because its a pain in the butt to get off because of the limited space you have to work with !

How can I test it when I get no power in the engine compartment? Did you just use a Mulit-meter? Any idea what amount of current it should produce?

Seadoobuddy: I can't get them to turn over at all. They just beep when the starter buttons are hit... I sure hope they're not ruined. I pulled a plug and they look fouled. But not terrible.

 

[Aliza]

I put a full charge on my battery and i got it to start! Make sure all your lights are off !
And a regular multi meter will do and i cant remember what they are suppose to put out but i found all the info on here by searching

 

[Seadoobuddy]

OH, sorry about that. Pull the pump and then turn the PTO by hand and see if water comes out. IDK if there will be enough pressure (by hand) to push water out if any is in there but it's worth a try

 

[WikidII]

I put a full charge on my battery and i got it to start! Make sure all your lights are off !
And a regular multi meter will do and i cant remember what they are suppose to put out but i found all the info on here by searching

Well I have it a good charge on Start mode. Still just 1 quick beep and 1 long beep. Both engines. I've moved the F/N/R handle back and forth to see if it just wasn't hitting.. still nothing.

 

[speedster98]

Be very very careful when using a charger on any seadoo with the battery still in and connected. There are many post on here where people have fried their mpem and even wiring using a charger or running vehicle on a doo. I always play it safe and pull the battery for any charging I do. Also don't use start mode ever on seadoos. Its meant to only start and will fry the mpem. I have a 2/10/50 that I always run at 2 to avoid boiling the cells.

 

[parrothd]

Well I have it a good charge on Start mode. Still just 1 quick beep and 1 long beep. Both engines. I've moved the F/N/R handle back and forth to see if it just wasn't hitting.. still nothing.

When you put the key on does it beep twice? If not the key or the post is bad, probably the post, buy a used one and get a second key..

 

[WikidII]

Everytime I go out and mess with this boat I have more ???? Damn this owners manual needs to be put in google.

So I get in. Put the lanyard on. It beeps twice (hasn't done that since it died on the lake) and starts. Several times. The yellow lighted switch starting beeping and flashing and I pressed it to turn off. I also bumped the throttle assy. The boat died again and won't restart. It's giving me the quick short single beep.

It rained and I forgot to cover it. Could that done something to temp fix the DESS? Or could my neutral switch be bad?

Man I'd like to run this thing this weekend.

 

[parrothd]

Boat needs to be in , 1 beep means it's in gear, put in neutral, remove and install the key and get 2 beeps.. Your out of gas or overheating, hence the buzzer

 

[WikidII]

Pulled the DESS post to attempt to check connections.... Should have know the heat gun would destroy it along with channel locks...

Just called Cowtown Powersports and ordered a new one...