help, 1997 challenger 1800

[Woody Dooley]

well i finally got a new lanyard but that was where the good news ends.

first no spark in starboard engine
second port engine would not turn over with spark plugs in

i began troubleshooting the starboard engine by switcing the coils and i got spark. i am assuming i need a new coil, is this common. the tack works on both motors and reads about 600rpm when cranking.

so im gonna take off both sets of carbs clean them and order a new coil and starter.

do you guys think im on the righ track?

Woody

 

[kustomkarl]

Woody it sound like you are on the right track. I would get one running and then go to the other...it might be a bad Idea to have a extra model to check on if you get confused on it's assembly. Or use good parts from both to get the one running, and then move on to the other. It will boost your confidence too if 1 is running real good.

Karl

 

[Gunsrunner]

Hi Woody,
Can you turn the port motor over by hand, if not it might not be the starter. Does it make any movement or noise at all?
Do you get the 2 beeps when you connect your dess key? A good place for starter is DBElectrical on eBay!

If you got spark on the starboard, did it start or sputter a bit?
Did you try the old coil again to make sure it wasn't just a bad connection? 90% of the time with all types of equipment it will be a bad connection and 90% of them will be a bad earth!!!!!
In your last post you said you had good compression, so it has to be fuel or air related if it didn't start.
You sound like your half way there already so have fun, learn heaps and reep the rewards afterwards!!!!:cheers:

 

[Woody Dooley]

well i was sure i had a bad coil because the tack was reading when the motor was turning over. i then got spark when i swaped port and starboard coils. it would fire here and there but would not run. i was already to go through the coil resistence checks when i stumbled upon your discussion of waste spark. that made me think what if my plugs are not gapped close enough? the problem would be compounded due to fire both excessive gapped plugs at once. this morning i found the plug gaps at .035, i closed them to .020 it fired right up. I swapped coils and nothing, wouldn't start. then i removed plug wires from bad coil cut them 1/2" back and reinserted them and bam, runs fine.

hope this helps someone.

now that was the starboard engine. port is next.

does anyone know where to get a throttle cable for a 1997 seadoo challenger 1800? starboard side?

 

[kustomkarl]

I have a new in the package throttle cable RH side # 204 390 066 for sale...Pm me for details.

Karl

 

[Woody Dooley]

anyone know where to get a hold of the ignition coil plug wire retaining clips. they are the small plastic clips that go around the plug wire and keep it inserted in the coil.

 

[Woody Dooley]

well i went from no spark to completly gummed up carbs(all 4) to a hole in the exaust. for the hole in the exaust i expoxied, seems to be working. on the shake down cruise after about 20 mins of perfect running i decided to open the hatch. i found water almost up to the bottom of the motors. it turned out the pto jug on the port motor was cracked. i roughrd it up with a grinder and pc7 epoxied it. i know not the best fix but compression is good. what do you guys think?

also i only got about 46mph, one motor was about 6500rpms other at 7k. throttle linkages are achieving wot. any thoughts?

Woody

ps i was able to repair a broken throtthe cable with bicycle cable parts.

 

[kustomkarl]

It is possible to repair the cable if you have the know how. Swap the wires on the techs and see if it is the techs or the engine that's not giving full rpm's Be sure the carbs are in sync with each other.

Karl