99 Challenger 1800 Won't Crank (electrical)

[pcldletter]

I'm new to the forum and new to seadoo so please forgive all of my ignorance.

I got a 1999 challenger 1800 off craigslist and I'll save the sob stories I've had so far. The boat has clearly been taken apart to some extent by previous owner. I had to buy a used, but tested and verified MPEM due to the one that came with the boat not working. Plugged everything in fine and when I put the key on the post I get 2 beeps. When I press either start button I get a click from the mpem but don't get 12v on the starter side of either solenoid (power going to the solenoid is fine). I can jump the solenoid and get the motor to spin as it should. Boat is in neutral, all wires I can see appear to be connected. I'm not sure where to start looking. I have the shop manual and can start tracing wires if someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Danosll]

if you get 12v to + side of solenoid in electric box and it doesnt energize .check solenoid ground .if good, can only be bad solenoid

 

[pcldletter]

Thanks, I will try to have that tested tonight. My gut says its not the problem because its the same on both motors.

 

[Danosll]

I believe solenoid share common ground. if its only clicking measure voltage at + side of solenoid in (to energize).other lead of meter on good known ground while someone activates start button with lanyard that came with mpem on. that ground at - side of solenoid.
post results . good be as simple as a weak battery.

 

[pcldletter]

Thank you for your response.
Both solenoids ground to the MPEM according to the wiring diagram. (wires W22 Bk C-101/14 Starboard, W19 BK/G C-101/15 Port)

It's a good battery, load tested and fully charged. With a meter hooked up to the energized side of the solenoid it shows 12.4 volts, load side is 0. Key in, 2 beeps and press the start button, still 0 volts to the load side on both port and starboard solenoids. If it were just one, I would have already changed the solenoid. Leads me to believe I'm missing a kill switch of some kind, something telling the MPEM not to close the circuit.

Is there any kind of a kill switch that would do that? Oil light is on the dash, would no oil in the tank tell the MPEM not to start the engines? I'm half decent with diagnostics, but totally lost here.

 

[Danosll]

you have 12volts when you press starter button as indicated i believe if my memory is correct it is a yellow wire. dont probe wires you can un clip to test. i may have that reversed but you get the idea

 

[pcldletter]

Ok. Made a trigger bypass for the solenoid, so with key on, 2 beeps, crank the motor and now no spark. I'm at a total loss.

 

[Danosll]

you never really answered my question in post 2, 4 and 6. do you get 12 volts to small positive wire to energize solenoid when you push red start button with proper lanyard for the mpem ?

 

[pcldletter]

My bad. No, not getting 12 volts through wire 18 Y/R/G when the button is pressed.

 

[Danosll]

and you get 2 beeps? to indicate recognition of dess key. im assuming gauges work. next put in forward and try start button. . should be long beep.
you are narrowing it down. hopefully it is bad neutral safety switch. if switch is good trace wire Y/R/G wire check all junctions and connections (try not to pierce wire). all the way back to mpem. ( while start switch is pushed) all the time within 30 seconds of putting dess key on.( you can remove and reinstall to allow for another 30 seconds).
post results

 

[Steelmesh]

if you get 12v to + side of solenoid in electric box and it doesnt energize .check solenoid ground .if good, can only be bad solenoid

Something to consider; I incorrectly replaced the starter solenoid because I was having a Neutral Safety switch issue. I would double check that, as it would prevent both engines from starting....however the tell tale is 4-beeps for my 1996 I would assume you should get some feedback for not being in neutral and trying to start.

 

[pcldletter]

Thank you very much for the help. It ended up being a bad MPEM. Plugged in the third replacement and the motor turned over perfectly

 

[Danosll]

last one sounds like an easy fix. ive come across a few with bad solder joints directly where the wires exit the mpem