Lanyard does not connect most of the time

[camaro_hodges]

I recently bought a 1996 GTX and the guy said you have to wiggle the lanyard to get it to crank and that all it needed was to be cleaned. Well, I don’t think that was the whole story. I have done that, and here is what happens. You connect the lanyard and most of the time nothing happens, sometimes you get beeps one or two, other times you wiggle it until you can get the starter to turn over. Finally, it is started. While riding it says low oil and low fuel, neither of which is true. Is the Mpem bad? Can it be tested? Can it be repaired? I really don’t want for it to fail one day when I am by myself.

 

[kustomkarl]

I would start by cleaning the Post on the safety lanyard. It is beeping and saying it isn't connecting to the Mpem, (Multi Purpose Electronic Module) It needs to beep 2 times to let you know it is ready to start. Clean the post and cap with soapy water. Don't use any grease of lubricant on it as it needs a clean connection to make contact. Connect the lanyard to see if it is making a connection. 2 beeps and it's ready to fire up. Some times the beeper is bad.
Here is how to test the DESS lanyard post;
Safety Lanyard Switch Verification;
If 2 short beeps are not heard when installing the safety lanyard, disconnect the switch wires.
Safety lanyard removed;
connect the test probes to switch Black and Black/Yellow wires. It’s an open circuit, there should be no continuity.
Connect one test probe to the White/Gray wire and the other test probe to the switch terminal. Measure resistance, it should be “0” ohm. Connect one test probe to the Black wire and the other test probe to the switch ring. Measure resistance, it must be close to “0” ohm.
Safety lanyard on switch; connect the probes to switch Black and Black /Yellow wires. Measure resistance, it must be “0” ohm.
Timer Verification;
The timer is integrated into the MPEM. Always confirm that the fuses are in good condition. To confirm operation of timer, remove the safety lanyard from switch. After 5 seconds delay, depress start/stop button once. The timer should stay on for 33 seconds (for example, the guage(s) will be activated) and than turn off.
I hope this helps, it sounds like you need a new lanyard post.

Karl

 

[camaro_hodges]

Okay, we took out the jetski on Sunday, and it does not seem to get power to the display and starter unless you wiggle the lanyard on the start switch. Sometimes it takes one time and sometimes it takes 15 minutes. You never know. Once connected, it will run, but it shows low fuel and low oil, but it has plenty of each. Then sometimes it kills when you try to get up on plane, but this may be after 30 minutes of riding or 2 minutes of riding. I have cleaned the lanyard and the starting pole, and it did not seem to help. Also sometimes, the clock resets, which seems to mean that it totally lost power. I will check the pole per the instructions on the previous post (thanks), and let you know what I find.

 

[fireball451]

I ended up having a bad DESS post on mine.
If your clock is resetting, sounds like you may have a loose battery cable.
It should retain clock memory.

camaro-joe

 

[camaro_hodges]

It was the DESS switch, but when I bought the switch it did not have the three male connectors, and the Seadoo shop did not have any, so I had to wait for them to order some. I don't understand why they sale these things without the connectors. Thanks for the help.