Limp mode on '03' xpdi

[Pops]

G'day everyone,
I've just bought my first Jet ski, and i'm lovin it!
it's a 2003 xpdi seadoo, i took it away for a week and have had a couple of problems. The first couple of days it was great, but the it started beeping at me everytime i would let it idle and the screen would flash 'MAINT'. whenever this happened it would go into limp mode. If i gave it a couple of squezes on the throttle it would jump out of limp mode and be ok again... i could ride it for 10mins, 20mins, etc etc but everytime i let it idle for more than 2 secs it would give 1 LONG BEEP, THEN FLASH 'MAINT', AND GO INTO LIMP MODE... on the 4th day the battery went flat... i was unable to check the charging system... so i bit the bullett and bought a brand new one... as soon as i put the battery in it was fixed then 48 hours later it did the same thing... could it be the alternater... do they even have an alternator... i'm a car mechanic by trade but i'm new to water crafts... and im useless without my tools and testing equipment. any ideas ??

 

[seadoosnipe]

Charging system....

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you Pops!....
The PWC's do not have alternators. The magneto generates AC current which is then rectified to DC current and regulated about 14 VDC. You say your only getting one long beep before limp mode. Are there anymore symptoms. Do your gages give you any indication as to the problem.
There is a series of test that can be done to look for a trouble code. I'm leaving work right now. I'll check later today and if there isn't a post from another member answering this problem, then I'll try and get you some more info....It's probably going to be a sensor. I don't think it's going to be a major problem. Check your temperature sensor for grounding. The temp sensor is known for grounding.
Again, welcome to the forum.

 

[seadoosnipe]

Trouble codes?

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.......But I'm here now. It seems that your problem is going to be limited to the rectifier/regulator.
On the fault page, there are a couple things that will put you in low idle, limp mode until either the trouble clears or you fix it. The faults that can do what you describe beside engine overheating is, low battery, very low battery, high battery and very high battery. Your description is scant. If there is any other things you've noticed, it would help. You said you only get one long beep. In the trouble shooting chart, that can be a bad lanyard key or salt water in it. I don't think thats your problem. With what you've said about your battery and charging system, I think it's your rectifier/regulator. There may be a test on checking it with a multi meter.

 

[Pops]

Thankyou so much for getting back to me... i've since come home from being away. as soon as i got home i flushed the motor... after letting it idle for about 3 secs i did the same thing ( 1 LONG BEEP, THEN FLASHED 'MAINT', THEN LIMP MODE) i flushed the motor and left the battery (brand new) on charge for about 3 hours. When i got up today i went out and started her up, as soon as i did it flashed 'MAINT' there was no beep... and i had full throttle... i let it idle for about 20 secs and it was fine. this afternoon i took her out into the bay... it was going great guns for about 30 mins but then it went into limp... what you have said about the rectifier/regulater sounds on the money i will have to get a hold on some specs... run some tests and see how i go... thanks heeps for your support... i relly do appreciate it.
Yours Sincerly
Pops

 

[seadoosnipe]

rectifier testing....

I should have mentioned it in the last post. If you have a multi meter, do this real quick. With a good charge in the battery, hook it up to the water, then start the motor. Go to the battery with the motor running and put the leads on it. You should have about 14 to 14.5 VDC charging. When the ski is shut down, you should have anywhere from 11.5 to 12.5.........

 

[Pops]

Will do seadoosnipe... i'll let you know how i go. Cheers.