Negative Cable

[Haych]

Hi,

I've got a 99 Seadoo GSX Limited 951cc, over the past month, I've been through two batteries.

I purchased this jet ski approximately 7 months ago, and only about 2 months ago, its started to give me issues with the battery, the original battery that came with the jet ski when I purchased the jet ski died 2 months ago, I replaced this battery with another, after installing the first battery, it was running smooth (just like I bought it) for about 2-3 weeks and then it just wouldn't crank, I charged the battery, and it started, so left it on for a while to let the battery charge itself, came back the following week to take it out, battery was dead, only had enough battery power to bring up the display after the key was plugged in.

I then took the battery and exchanged it for another new replacement which is exactly the same. I installed it in my jet ski, waited about 20 minutes and it started with no problems, after 3 weeks.

I took it out for a ride and it broke down in the middle of the water, took a while to get it turned back on while stuck in the middle of the beach, it finally turned on but would only idle at 500rpm-2000rpm, turned out to be a spark plug, it was only running on 1 cylinder after it broke down, managed to get the engine started on 1 cylinder and limp it back.

I then replaced the spark plugs, and now when at idle it will it burns more than usual oil and idles at 1,500rpm when outside of the water, it revs easily to redline, but not as responsive but I blame that on the idle, I've noticed the negative terminal seems to be badly corroded, so first things first.

What would be the easiest way to change this cable? It looks like it goes under the engine?

After replacing this cable, I'm going to start it up, and check to see if the battery is being charged by the alternator using a multimeter.

 

[timmyboy76]

seems to me, that cable (-), goin under, goes to the starter. If bad, yeah, replace it, might have to remove the pipe, but replace it, clean the connections/mounting post/s...etc. For the issue with batterys, might be a faulty rectifier, in which your case, its build into the mpem. Only way fix'n that, is to replace the whole unit..

 

[Haych]

seems to me, that cable (-), goin under, goes to the starter. If bad, yeah, replace it, might have to remove the pipe, but replace it, clean the connections/mounting post/s...etc. For the issue with batterys, might be a faulty rectifier, in which your case, its build into the mpem. Only way fix'n that, is to replace the whole unit..

I removed the battery and removed a few parts to get a good look around the engine bay and found the throttle body was missing 3 bolts and was hanging on with 1 bolt, I pushed the cover with my finger and a bit of fuel fell out, so I removed the last bolt and got 4 replacement bolts to match with spring washers, installed them all, put everything back together, got my jump starter, and connected the positive from the jump starter to the positive on the jet ski, and the same was done for the negative. the jump starter also has a gauge on the front to report what the voltage of the battery is, I started up the jetski, and the gauge went from 12.5 volts to 13.5-14.5, more towards the 14.5 mark.

The jetski now idles fine out of the water, I need to find out what's up with this battery. Could it be that I've got the wrong battery?

The battery I have now is 12v 19AH..

I'm stumped!

 

[timmyboy76]

wouldn't say wrong, but wit hsuch a shotty cable, might have contributed to having it dump a cell or 2

 

[Haych]

I've got a hard copy of the workshop manual and it says that the battery should be 12v 19AH which it is..

I can remember the battery previously being in the car had a higher AH, something like 21AH.

 

[PWCdoc]

21ah is fine. 19ah is the minimum they recommend for that ski.

If the cable is hosed then I'd replace it. If you are primarily curious to see if that is even your problem then take a cable and connect it on top of the negative cable already there and attach it to the block someplace.

You stated that it revs to 1500 out of the water but is not very responsive. What does it rev while in the water? And what did the plug look like that you took out? The information you give tends to indicate something else going on with regards to it stopping and being difficult to start. As for the battery going dead on you then you need to check your connections such as that negative cable first.

 

[Haych]

21ah is fine. 19ah is the minimum they recommend for that ski.

If the cable is hosed then I'd replace it. If you are primarily curious to see if that is even your problem then take a cable and connect it on top of the negative cable already there and attach it to the block someplace.

You stated that it revs to 1500 out of the water but is not very responsive. What does it rev while in the water? And what did the plug look like that you took out? The information you give tends to indicate something else going on with regards to it stopping and being difficult to start. As for the battery going dead on you then you need to check your connections such as that negative cable first.

The spark plug looked normal, just wasn't passing any sparks through the spark plug, must have been shot. The performance of the jet ski would get worse and worse as I took it out, maybe this spark plug was on its last legs?

Rest assured, I replaced them both.

No idea what rpm it runs on the water. I still need to get this negative cable fixed. Yeah, I might just hook it up to the side of the block.

I think that because I've fixed the throttle body assembly, it should start up fine from now on.

 

[Haych]

What is the highest battery AH that can be used on my ski?

 

[PWCdoc]

The highest that'll fit is ok. A battery will not put out too much current for your needs. However, it can put out too little. You electrical system will draw whatever amount of current it needs and if your battery is rated too low (less than 19ah for example) then it'll get drawn down very quickly whereas a larger rated battery (higher than 19ah) will resist being depleted.

 

[Haych]

Ah ok.. Well, when this throttle body assembly was all loose, it would take pretty long to get this thing started if it was sitting out of the water for longer than a week, so maybe I should switch to a battery with a higher AH to help with my issues.

 

[PWCdoc]

That'd just be a bandaid for a hard starting issue. I'd find the cause first...then fix it...then opt for a larger battery if necessary or desired.

 

[Haych]

That'd just be a bandaid for a hard starting issue. I'd find the cause first...then fix it...then opt for a larger battery if necessary or desired.

I think I've already fixed the starting issue..

 

[PWCdoc]

Excellent. If it starts easier fromnow on then use the battery you have until it finally dies. Then you might consider a higher rated battery.

 

[revereamg]

this sounds like a charging issue. check your magneto

 

[Royce]

I would say no to a charging issue you said it was 14.5 on multimeter or gauge from your jump box which is where it needs to be.. the hard starting and low idle were prob from the brokin/missing bolts..