MPDano NEW to my family 1997 Seadoo Speedster Twin Rotax

[MPDano]

Hello all! First post.

Picked a 97 Speedster yesterday and the first thing I put in was a new Blue Top AGM Battery. I do this for my toys but especially those that can strand me in the middle of the ocean.

Took my family out in today (July 4th) and had a blast. The twins idled flawless in the no wake zones and accelerated great when it was time.

The only thing not working on her is the speedo. Where does it pic up the speed from?

Thanks in advance

Leo

 

[Lumps]

there is a little wheel off the transom. Mine didn't work either but there was damage to the cable that connected it to the boat. was easy to fix. yours may not be the same problem

 

[MPDano]

there is a little wheel off the transom. Mine didn't work either but there was damage to the cable that connected it to the boat. was easy to fix. yours may not be the same problem

Cool. Is there a better description on what it is next to (little wheel) on the transom?

 

[Lumps]

its right on the trailing edge. its about the size of the quarter. maybe a little bigger. I think its on the port side. it mounts in a black panel. the wheel has several paddles. when it turns I believe it modifies a magnetic field and that in turn cause pulse the gauge can count. if you get under the back of your boat and look at the point where the bottom of the boat meets the transom. its the only thing down there that will rotate when you flick it.

 

[Lumps]

so I happened to see this post and the speed sensor is in this picture:

https://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?66712-Challenger-extended-ride-plate/page11

if you look at the jet drive. to the right is the drainage plug. right beside that is the speed sensor. you can also see the cable coming out of it. this is not the same boat you have so yours will not be in the same place but it should not be hard to find

 

[MPDano]

so I happened to see this post and the speed sensor is in this picture:

https://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?66712-Challenger-extended-ride-plate/page11

if you look at the jet drive. to the right is the drainage plug. right beside that is the speed sensor. you can also see the cable coming out of it. this is not the same boat you have so yours will not be in the same place but it should not be hard to find

Thanks! Will check out that area.

Found some pics of what the wheel looks like so should be easy to find.

 

[MPDano]

Found it guys with your help. Wheel and wires look fine. I am now assuming the sensor is bad. Is there a fuse for this sensor?

[video=youtube_share;mpFSWDkoMhU]https://youtu.be/mpFSWDkoMhU[/video]

 

[MPDano]

Found the part number (278001998) for $150. As far as the old terminals, is there a special tool to remove them or do they just unplug?

 

[Lumps]

Have you confirmed the part is the problem? I can't remember how to test it but I think if it conducts it probably isn't you problem. It could be in between the sensor and the gauge or the gauge it's self

 

[MPDano]

Have you confirmed the part is the problem? I can't remember how to test it but I think if it conducts it probably isn't you problem. It could be in between the sensor and the gauge or the gauge it's self

I have not confirmed the sensor. If someone knows the test procedure, that would be great. Not in a real hurry to spend that $150 just yet. I have yet to find a bad speedo on anything I have ever owned, not to say it couldn't happen.

 

[Lumps]

Maybe. The tach gauges go often and I suspect they are pretty much functionally equivalent to the Speedo. I'll see if I can figure out how to test the wheel. It is not as simple as just checking the resistance. But when mine was broken I found some pages describing how to test

 

[MPDano]

Maybe. The tach gauges go often and I suspect they are pretty much functionally equivalent to the Speedo. I'll see if I can figure out how to test the wheel. It is not as simple as just checking the resistance. But when mine was broken I found some pages describing how to test

Cool. Thanks.

 

[TVKing]

Mine works okay most of the time, but I use a speedometer app on my phone
It works all the time, is much more accurate, and I have my phone on dash holder anyway
No cost involved ( kinda, sorta) :toetap05::toetap05:

 

[MPDano]

Mine works okay most of the time, but I use a speedometer app on my phone
It works all the time, is much more accurate, and I have my phone on dash holder anyway
No cost involved ( kinda, sorta) :toetap05::toetap05:

Yeah, was thinking this route as well. Just buy a mount and install a usb charging port and be done with it. My Galaxy phone is water resistant anyways.

Still would be nice to know the source of the issue.

 

[MPDano]

Took it out again today and yup, speedo no worko.

 

[Lumps]

Cool. Thanks.

It took me a while but I found a test procedure. they say "put pins through the wires" but I don't think that method is great for boats. so decide for your self how you want to do it

1) put pins into the 2 wires coming out of the sensor (some have 3 wires but the third is for temperature)
2)turn on the boat (I don't think you actually have to start the engines
3) put your multi meter on the pins and measure the voltage across the wires
4) turn the wheel a 1/4 turn (1/2?)
5) check the voltage change. the voltage should go between 5 - 8 ish volts (i.e. when the wheel is in one position if 5 and in the other its 8)

I don't know how this will help if the wires are loose. maybe if the voltage doesn't change when you turn the wheel you know its shot and if there is no voltage you know its the wires? and if the voltage changes properly you can assume its the gauge?

I can't remember perfectly. It was about 5 or 6 years ago when I did mine

 

[MPDano]

It took me a while but I found a test procedure. they say "put pins through the wires" but I don't think that method is great for boats. so decide for your self how you want to do it

1) put pins into the 2 wires coming out of the sensor (some have 3 wires but the third is for temperature)
2)turn on the boat (I don't think you actually have to start the engines
3) put your multi meter on the pins and measure the voltage across the wires
4) turn the wheel a 1/4 turn (1/2?)
5) check the voltage change. the voltage should go between 5 - 8 ish volts (i.e. when the wheel is in one position if 5 and in the other its 8)

I don't know how this will help if the wires are loose. maybe if the voltage doesn't change when you turn the wheel you know its shot and if there is no voltage you know its the wires? and if the voltage changes properly you can assume its the gauge?

I can't remember perfectly. It was about 5 or 6 years ago when I did mine

Excellent! I'll give that a go and report back.

 

[bledt]

Just get a gps speedometer. I been thinking of getting one. My 96 Speedster spedo "works" but not as accurate as gps. I find speed a great indicator of when maintenance is required.

 

[MPDano]

Just get a gps speedometer. I been thinking of getting one. My 96 Speedster spedo "works" but not as accurate as gps. I find speed a great indicator of when maintenance is required.

I haven't checked mine yet, but how much for the "working" speed sensor shipped to 92021? 278001998

 

[bledt]

I haven't checked mine yet, but how much for the "working" speed sensor shipped to 92021? 278001998

I see them on eBay for $60 and up. I'll do $60.

 

[MPDano]

I see them on eBay for $60 and up. I'll do $60.

But can you guarantee your works?

 

[bledt]

But can you guarantee your works?

It was working when removed. I'll took it up in my boat and blow the paddle with my leaf blower tomorrow to make sure!

 

[MPDano]

It was working when removed. I'll took it up in my boat and blow the paddle with my leaf blower tomorrow to make sure!

Sounds good