Engine doesn't crank and hard to start after few rides.

[Yuma]

Hi everyone I just bought a seadoo challenger 180 2005. I took it out to the water last weekend and the boat start right up but here is the problem when I turned off on the water and let it cool down for couple hours I try to start the engine again but it won't start and it doesn't crank .after a lot of attempts of trying it will start, please if any of you guys knows what's the problem or have any idea where to look to solve the issue it will be very helpful. I forgot to mention that I changed the oil, filter, spark plugs and engine cooling system.
Thank you.

 

[XP 787]

Are you using the blower between start ups?

 

[Yuma]

Hi XP 787, no I don't

 

[10forty2]

When you say it doesn't crank, do you mean it won't turn over the engine or the engine turns over but it won't actually catch and start running? If it won't turn over, I'd look into electrical/battery/switch/connection issues. If it turns over but won't run, then I'd look into fuel supply/spark issues. Since you say you changed the spark plugs, are you sure you got all the wires back on properly? Could be a loose connection. Re-check the tightness of the plug wires. While you were in there, did you by chance hit something and knock it loose? Easy to do, since you have to basically climb into the engine compartment to do almost anything. Lots of possibilities. Need to know exactly what it's doing or not doing to diagnose further.

 

[Yuma]

Hi 10forty2, yeah sorry I didn't explain well, what i meant was the engine doesn't turn over.I will check the batery connections like you said thanks for you help

 

[10forty2]

Yeah, sounds like a loose connection if it will eventually turn over and start. You may also have a dying battery, and possibly a bad regulator/rectifier if it's not charging. Verify all connections starting at the battery and trace through to the dashboard switch to make sure it's not the problem. Mine is a push-button switch for each engine and I can see where those momentary switches would go bad as well. Make sure your lanyard is making good connection too.

 

[Yuma]

I've been checking all the conecction. But I don't find the problem I will go to the lake this weekend and see how it will be . I have a question, my tachometer rpm is not working, is there some how I can test the geage to make sure is bad before I start looking for new one? The other thing is, how I know the hours on my boat? because all the gaege on the dashboard doesn't show the hours . I have a Sea Doo Challenger 180 2005 model.
Sorry for all this question I'm just trying to figure things out , this is my first boat hopefully one day I'll be helping people on this site, cheers

 

[JPass]

Next time she doesn't start, bring a test light or volt meter to see where you are and aren't getting power. If you only have a test light and a friend, then make sure you have power going to starter when the ignition switch is activated. If you don't then go upstream towards switch until you get power (relays, fuse box, switches, etc.).

If you a voltmeter then start by checking battery voltage, then back track from starter seeing if you're getting 12V to the starter and everything back to switch.

Check your grounds and connectors as well.

 

[Yuma]

That's a good idea Jpass I will take my volt meter with me and check all of that, hopefully I'll find the problem. thanks for the help