No Two-Beeps when attaching key to post...but the beeper is GOOD.

[SportbikeRiderXX]

98 Speedster:

When I attach the D.E.S.S. key, I don't get the Two-Beeps that should happen.

I know my beeper is good because the following all work as intended:
-One beep when placing it in neutral. -Four beeps when trying to start engine when NOT in neutral.
-Long beep when engine overheat switch is triggered (I tested this by grounding it while briefly starting the engine).

The only thing that does NOT work is the normal Two-Beeps when applying the key to the D.E.S.S. post.

And, if it's related, I am not able to get to the advanced diagnostics mode by pressing the Start/Stop button five times. (Then engines always crank even without the key on the post)

 

[Dr Honda]

If you aren't getting any response when you put the lanyard on... I'd say the post has gone bad.

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

If you aren't getting any response when you put the lanyard on... I'd say the post has gone bad.

But, it works well enough that the engines won't start without the key on the post, and if I kill the engines by removing the key from the post, everything stops as intended.

 

[LouDoo]

Never mind I didn't see the 98 Speedster.

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

What year and model ski do you have? It might not have the dess system.

Lou

It absolutely does. It's a 98 Speedster.

 

[LouDoo]

Sorry for the post, I usually look in the personal info. section, saves from reading through the post. I'll refrain from making any more comments.

Lou

 

[Dennis]

Unplug the DESS post and see if the engines crank then. If not, replace the post. The post is a 2 part switch. Sounds like half of it is stuck "ON".

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

Unplug the DESS post and see if the engines crank then. If not, replace the post. The post is a 2 part switch. Sounds like half of it is stuck "ON".

Hmmm, this would make sense. I have an extra D.E.S.S. post or two in my "extra parts" bin at home. I'll try that. Thank you, Dennis.

Lou, thanks for responding anyway!

 

[Dr Honda]

Will the engine(s) start without the lanyard on?

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

Will the engine(s) start without the lanyard on?

No. The engines will crank, but not start until key is on post.

 

[Dr Honda]

Well..... either the MPEM is messed up, and doing goofy things... OR... the previous owner has gotten creative with the wireing because of other electrical issues.


The engine's should not crank with the lanyard off.

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

I'm hoping Dennis is right. I'm going to swap out the post and see what happens.

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

Well, I swapped out the D.E.S.S. post with a different one I have and it's doing the exact same thing.

 

[Dennis]

Do the engines crank when the post is unplugged?

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

Do the engines crank when the post is unplugged?

Yes, the engines crank with the key removed from the post. But, they will only START with the key attached to the post.

I did not try to start or crank then engines with the post totally disconnected...

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

OK, now it's being totally random.

I went and tested it with the DESS post removed from the wiring:
NO engine cranking; single beep when moving reverse lever into Neutral position; one long beep when hitting start/stop button.

I went ahead and connected the (original) DESS post and then when I connected the key to it, I got Two-Beeps (seemed normal). Engines cranked/started normally. Then, I disconnect the key from the post and it's back to the way it was. It will crank the engines even without key attached (but only START if it IS attached to the post)

 

[Dr Honda]

If it was my boat... I would open the big gray electrical box... and figure out what the last owner did.

Also... you shouldn't get any beeps from the shiftier if the lanyard is off. It sounds like your MPEM has gone bad... and the last owner has it bypassed. (or partly bypassed)

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

If it was my boat... I would open the big gray electrical box... and figure out what the last owner did.

Also... you shouldn't get any beeps from the shiftier if the lanyard is off. It sounds like your MPEM has gone bad... and the last owner has it bypassed. (or partly bypassed)

This Seadoo doesn't have a big gray electrical box. The MPEM is mounted on the wall in the engine room. There are no obvious wiring "changes" from stock.

 

[Dr Honda]

This Seadoo doesn't have a big gray electrical box. The MPEM is mounted on the wall in the engine room. There are no obvious wiring "changes" from stock.

OK... you have the black boxes.


Regardless... there shouldn't be power in the system until your lanyard is on.

With that said... I have seen a few failures were the MPEM wouldn't shut down. This may be what happened to yours. AND... it may not have been 100% obvious since your boat has the battery switch. (Skis don't have them)

I'll have to look over the wiring for that boat... but if you have the battery off.... do you get beeps after you turn it back on?

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

OK... you have the black boxes.


Regardless... there shouldn't be power in the system until your lanyard is on.

With that said... I have seen a few failures were the MPEM wouldn't shut down. This may be what happened to yours. AND... it may not have been 100% obvious since your boat has the battery switch. (Skis don't have them)

I'll have to look over the wiring for that boat... but if you have the battery off.... do you get beeps after you turn it back on?

I will double check if I get any "normal" beeps immediately after turning on the battery switch. If it's relevant, when the engines ARE running, removing the key from the post does kill the engines.

 

[Dr Honda]

Try this.... 2 tests.


1) With the lanyard off: Turn off the battery for a minute or so... then turn it on. Listen to the beeps. (if any)

2) Repeat with the lanyard on.

 

[Dr Honda]

I was just looking over the wiring, and it doesn't show the disconnect. SO... we may have to physically disconnect the battery to test it.

Basically... if the MPEM is before the disconnect... it will stay powered up. We need to make sure the MPEM get's powered down.

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

I was just looking over the wiring, and it doesn't show the disconnect. SO... we may have to physically disconnect the battery to test it.

Basically... if the MPEM is before the disconnect... it will stay powered up. We need to make sure the MPEM get's powered down.

The Positive lead from the battery goes directly to the disconnect switch, so NOTHING is getting 12v when that switch is in the OFF position.

 

[SportbikeRiderXX]

I might have narrowed this down...

I thought, just for the heck of it, I'd try a DESS key from a different Seadoo that I had laying around. This particular key is programmed to a 96 GSX MPEM that I have in my spare parts bin. Guess what? The boat's engines started right up with that other key on the post. Remove the key and the engines stop.

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that aftermarket MPEM options for some Seadoos (info found at SeadooSource.com) would allow any DESS key to start the 'Doo and to be careful that the normal 3,500RPM Neutral/Reverse rev limiter would not limit RPM. Well, when my boat is in Neutral, it IS limited to 3,500RPM.

I do have the stock MPEM, 204-470-155 in my boat.

So, researching/reading on I found that from OnlySeaDoo.com you can buy your MPEM either programmed with a key, OR with the option to have your MPEM accept ANY DESS key. I'm guessing that is how my boat is set up? Is this something that is commonly done? Can I have the Dealer revert/reprogram the MPEM to only accept programmed keys? I was thinking about buying a 2nd key and have them program it anyway.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes... aftermarket MPEM's are normally set up without a DESS system. BUT... as far as I know... no one makes any of the "Boat" MPEM's. When the aftermarket units are put into a boat... they basically wire in "Ski" MPEM's. And.. since you have 2 engines... you would have 2 aftermarket MPEM's.


Now... and OEM can be set up without a key... but once it's been programmed, it can't be disabled.

Regardless... you should be getting beeps, and you should not be able to crank the engine without the lanyard on.

Your MPEM isn't happy, and is doing strange things.