new member - DESS questions.

[jkellyd]

i just joined the forum today as a premium member.

I recently bought a 1998 XP in great shape from a close friend - at least I think it is a '98 XP - the hull number is ZZN72659A696, and the engine # is 4635930 Type "787". I bought a new battery, replaced all fuel lines, rebuilt the carbs from top to bottom, cleaned all harness connections, lanyard, DESS post. I also removed the starter and took it apart and inspected it internally, etc. I basically went through the boat from top to bottom. I am extremely mechanically inclined - been working on cars and outboards for almost all of my 50 years!

I rode the ski for the 1st time last Saturday - it ran great! Faster than heck!
However, Sunday afternoon, went out to start it - put the lanyard on - heard 1 long beep and that was it. after reading some threads on this forum, I tried a recommendation. This involved pulling the lanyard off, hitting the start switch 5 times. When I did this, I re-installed the lanyard, got an extremely short beep followed by 1 long beep. Then I hit the start switch again, and got 3 short beeps. I have repeated this cycle over and over again to no avail - same thing happens each time. I have also checked all connections and grounds inside both the front and rear electrical boxes, starter switch, etc with an ohm meter. The previous owner said anytime this happened in the past, it was a weak battery, However, my battery is brand new and fully charged. Also, I have even hooked up a KNOWN good full sized marine battery from my full sized boat and the symptoms persist.

What does this mean? Can anyone kindly help? Perhaps I can return the favor with some OMC (now BRP) and Yamaha outboard knowledge! Also, if someone can verify the above VIN's for the model and year that would be great, too. Thank you in advance!

 

[kustomkarl]

i just joined the forum today as a premium member.

I recently bought a 1998 XP in great shape from a close friend - at least I think it is a '98 XP - the hull number is ZZN72659A696, and the engine # is 4635930 Type "787". I bought a new battery, replaced all fuel lines, rebuilt the carbs from top to bottom, cleaned all harness connections, lanyard, DESS post. I also removed the starter and took it apart and inspected it internally, etc. I basically went through the boat from top to bottom. I am extremely mechanically inclined - been working on cars and outboards for almost all of my 50 years!

I rode the ski for the 1st time last Saturday - it ran great! Faster than heck!
However, Sunday afternoon, went out to start it - put the lanyard on - heard 1 long beep and that was it. after reading some threads on this forum, I tried a recommendation. This involved pulling the lanyard off, hitting the start switch 5 times. When I did this, I re-installed the lanyard, got an extremely short beep followed by 1 long beep. Then I hit the start switch again, and got 3 short beeps. I have repeated this cycle over and over again to no avail - same thing happens each time. I have also checked all connections and grounds inside both the front and rear electrical boxes, starter switch, etc with an ohm meter. The previous owner said anytime this happened in the past, it was a weak battery, However, my battery is brand new and fully charged. Also, I have even hooked up a KNOWN good full sized marine battery from my full sized boat and the symptoms persist.

What does this mean? Can anyone kindly help? Perhaps I can return the favor with some OMC (now BRP) and Yamaha outboard knowledge! Also, if someone can verify the above VIN's for the model and year that would be great, too. Thank you in advance!

Based on the 2 highlited numbers, It is a "96". I would check the ground wire going to the engine by the starter. 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. Between these 2 things it should start.

I hope this helps.
Karl

 

[jkellyd]

Thanks for the reply. Yea, the lanyard is spotless - already cleaned thoroughly. There is a ground lead on the starter body itself - I cleaned and sanded thoughoughly when I had the starter off. Is there another ground harness on the engine itself? Thanks!

 

[kustomkarl]

No the only ground is the ground wire to the engine by the starter. Here is information on test to do on the lanyard parts;

Engine start/stop switch verification;
Disconnect the Yellow/Red wire of the start/stop switch. Using an ohmmeter, connect test probes to the Yellow/Red wire and to ground. Measure resistance, it must be an open circuit (switch is normally open). Depress and hold switch, the ohmmeter should read close to “0” ohm.

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 gauge(s) will be activated) and than turn off.

I hope these tests help.

Karl

 

[seadoosnipe]

Advanced diagnostic....

By pushing the start/stop button 5 times, your putting the DESS in advanced diagnostics. When you have successfully done this, you'll hear one short, one long beep (which according to your post, you did). Then, put on the cap. The 3 beeps you say you heard signal that you've got a problem in the wiring harness. A wire lose or not grounded somewhere.

Your a mechanic, I don't think I need to point out how un-reliable the connectors in these electrical systems are. You may have nothing more than a bad connection in your wiring harness, from corrosion. If you remember taking apart a connector somewhere, then this would be the first place I look. If not. Go through your electrical systems connectors and check for the greenish white powder junk, clean them with some type CRC compond then, die-electric grease............

But your code is for a bad connection in the wiring harness. :cheers:

 

[jkellyd]

thanks for the replies from KustomKarl and seadoosnipe.

I am still at a loss. though I have done all suggested tests with an ohm meter on the lanyard switch, i did them again - they all check out. black to black/yelllow - open. white/grey to center terminal - 0 ohms. black to switch ring - 0 ohms. with safety cap on - black to black/yellow 0 ohms, and also black to white/grey - 0 ohms, and black/yellow to white/grey - 0 ohms.

start stop switch is good - checked many times. open circuit when not activated, closed circuit when depressed.

this afternoon, I checked ALL connections on the entire boat and ran continuity tests on ALL wires on the entire boat. all connections were clean and still had OEM Di-E grease in them.

the ONLY area that has not been checked is inside the stator plate on the front of the engine. would this be a possible area of concern? by the way, starter does turn over well when the solenoid is jumped.

 

[kustomkarl]

It sounds like it isn't in the post or lanyard cap. It has to have a short somewhere in the harness going to the MPEM. Being mechanically inclined yourself you know how electrical problems can be. It might be possible that the MPEM is bad.

3 beeps signal the wiring harness of the DESS switch are grounded, or a short circuit somewhere.

Karl