98 GTX Limited Not Turning Over

[Joe Wertz]

Hi guys,
I am new to the forum. Last year I bought a 98 GTX Limited, and since have replaced the battery and also replaced the carbs. I was told that the starter was going bad and after winterizing it and trying to start it this year, it will not turn over.

It acts funny when you hit the start button. It won't crank for more than a second or two. Crank..Crank..Crank...then nothing, and while trying continuously crank it, the display will reset over and over again and I have to pull the safety cable and re seed it. Last year when the carbs were replaced it ran like a champ, but has always been hard to turn over.

Starter? Solenoid? Cabling? Any suggestions??

Thanks all in advance!

 

[seadoolover]

battery charge first

Firstly, charge your battery and make sure all connections are clean and tight. Try again,... if no success take out spark plugs and see if it cranks engine over faster now... if it does you may have a bad starter.

 

[Joe Wertz]

Thanks for the advice. From reading other forums last night, I charged the spare battery and put it in this morning. Cranks like a champ, and after a little while started up no problem! I did remove the connections and make sure that everything was tight.

I can not seem to get my hands on where the negative attaches, but the other negative that grounds to the engine block was tight. The electric still seems to want to reset itself if I crank it too many times, but it starts like a champ now!

thanks again!

 

[kustomkarl]

Welcome to the seadoo forum Joe. The ground only connects to the engine by the starter. I hope it has fresh gas as it will run better after you run it from sitting all winter.

Keep us posted.

Karl

 

[Joe Wertz]

Thanks Karl,
The negative on the battery has two leads. One thats connects right to the engine metal and other other goes to the underneath of the engine that I can not see. Like you said probably to the starter.

I did add 5 gallons of fresh gas yesterday and after replacing the battery with the newer charged one, it cranked for a couple of minutes and turned over. I ran water through it for a couple of minutes and plan on putting it in the water this evening. Still does the electric thing occasionally. After hitting the start button a few time, it will just shut off, and I have to take the safety off and replace it to make it hit again.

Thanks for all of the support guys!

Joe

 

[seadoolover]

Fuses..

Joe, check and replace all your fuses if you can sitting awhile corrodes them a bit.. even if they look good replace them and you may just eliminate the flickering problem with your gauges etc.. and its a cheap start. Also give your lanyard and post a good wash with soapy water.. no spray.. just soap and water.